Anti-methanogenic compositions and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to, in part, methods and compositions for the treatment of methanogen-associated disorders such as, for example, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Particularly, modified-release formulations comprising at least one antimethanogenic statin are provided which release the antimethanogenic statin in the intestines.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. ApplicationNos. 62/036,948, filed Aug. 13, 2014; 62/043,649, filed Aug. 29, 2014;62/043,789, filed Aug. 29, 2014; and 62/141,355, filed Apr. 1, 2015, theentire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to, in part, methods and compositions forthe treatment of methanogen-associated disorders such as, for example,Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

BACKGROUND

The human microbiome plays an important role in both health and disease.While the majority of microorganisms inhabiting the gastrointestinalsystem of humans and animals have a beneficiary role in, for example,aiding digestion of important nutrients, it is known that a minority ofotherwise previously considered “commensal” organisms play a role in thepathogenesis of various diseases.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects an estimated 30 million people inthe United States alone. IBS is a functional gastrointestinal (GI)disorder that results in abdominal pain and/or discomfort, along withchanges in bowel habits. IBS is classified into four subtypes based on aperson’s stool consistency: constipation-associated IBS (IBS-C);diarrhea-associated IBS (IBS-D); mixed (or alternating) IBS (IBS-M orIBS-A); and unsubtyped (or unspecified) IBS(IBS-U).

Recent studies have suggested that certain methane producingmicroorganisms inhabiting the gut known as methanogens may play acausative role in constipation. Specifically, studies suggest a linkbetween intestinal methane (CH₄) production and constipation in IBS-C aswell as chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC). Methane (CH₄) productionin humans is due to methanogenic archaea in the intestine. Theseorganisms serve a critical biological function by removing theby-products of bacterial fermentation of polysaccharides, notablyhydrogen gas (H₂) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The dominantmethanogen inhabiting the human gut is the archaea, Methanobrevibactersmithii (M. smithii). In vitro susceptibility testing has demonstratedthat methanogens such as M. smithii are highly resistant to most classesof antibiotics. Further, complete eradication of intestinal methanogensvia a single course of therapy is unlikely using broad spectrumantibiotics, leading to methanogen recolonization and methanogenesisreturning to pathogenic levels. Continuous use of antibiotics isassociated with various side effects and increased risk of developingantibiotic resistance. Further still, long-term use of antibiotics maydisrupt the otherwise potentially beneficial bacterial intestinalmicrobiome and gastrointestinal flora.

There remains a need for safe and effective approaches for the long termsuppression of enteric methanogenesis and/or excessive methaneproduction in the treatment of diseases such as IBS.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides, inter alia, improvedmethods and formulations for the treatment of variousmethanogen-associated disorders. In one aspect, the present inventionrelates to compositions and uses of modified-release formulations whichcomprise at least one anti-methanogenic agent, including, for example,statin hydroxyacid molecules that, without wishing to be bound bytheory, are typically effective inhibitors of3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and statinlactones that, without wishing to be bound by theory, are typicallyineffective HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (collectively “antimethanogenicstatins”). In various embodiments, the formulations and methodsdescribed herein eradicate or reduce methane production, which iscausative of, or correlative with, various methanogen-associateddisorders, including, for example, IBS (e.g. IBS-C), diabetes andobesity. In various embodiments, the formulations and methods describedherein target the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and therefore provide forspecific delivery to a site of methanogen colonization and/or methaneproduction and/or accumulation while avoiding or reducing systemicexposure to antimethanogenic statins and minimizing their systemiceffects. As such, the present invention provides for effectivetreatments that avoid side effects associated with chronic systemicstatin administration (e.g. muscle pain, abnormalities in liver enzymetests, etc.). Further, in some embodiments, the present inventionsurprisingly treats bowel-disorders despite reports linking statin useto, for example, constipation (see, e.g., Fernandes et al. Possibleassociation between statin use and bowel dysmotility. BMJ Case Reports2012; 10.1136/bcr.10.2011.4918 and Merck Global Medical Information.Professional Information Response UK11-010274, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entireties). Further, in someembodiments, the present invention surprisingly treats diabetes despitereports linking statin use to this disorder (see, e.g. Naci et al.,Comparative tolerability and harms of individual statins: a study-levelnetwork meta-analysis of 246 955 participants from 135 randomized,controlled trials. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 6 (4): 390-9, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety).

In some embodiments, the modified-release formulations release at least60% of the anti-methanogenic agent, such as anti-methanogenic statins,after the stomach and into one or more regions of the intestinal tract.In certain embodiments, the formulation releases the antimethanogenicstatin in the small intestine, including one or more of the duodenum,jejunum, and ileum. In other embodiments, the formulation releases theanti-methanogenic statin in the large intestine (e.g., one or more ofthe cecum, ascending, transverse, descending or sigmoid portions of thecolon, and rectum).

In various embodiments, the antimethanogenic statin is selected fromatorvastatin, cerivastatin, dalvastatin, eptastatin, fluindostatin,fluvastatin, lovastatin, mevastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin,rosuvastatin, simvastatin, velostatin, and pharmaceutically acceptablesalts, stereoisomers, or prodrug derivatives thereof. In someembodiments, the anti-methanogenic statin is selected from lovastatin,pravastatin, and simvastatin. In one embodiment, the statin ispravastatin and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, stereoisomers, orprodrug derivatives thereof. In another embodiment, the antimethanogenicstatin is lovastatin and pharmaceutically acceptable salts,stereoisomers, or prodrug derivatives thereof. In one embodiment, theantimethanogenic statin is simvastatin and pharmaceutically acceptablesalts, stereoisomers, or prodrug derivatives thereof. In someembodiments, the antimethogenic statin is in either the lactone orβ-hydroxyacid form. In some embodiments, the antimethanogenic statin isthe lactone form of lovastatin.

In various embodiments, the modified-release formulation is administeredorally to a subject in need thereof. In one embodiment, the formulationmay be in the form of a capsule or a tablet. In an embodiment, theformulation comprises a modified-release coating that is substantiallystable in gastric fluid. In another embodiment, the modified-releasecoating may be degraded by a microbial enzyme present in the gut flora.In a further embodiment, the modified-release coating may have asolubility and/or stability that is pH dependent. In other embodiments,the modified-release coating may have a time-dependent erosion profile.

In various embodiments, the modified-release formulation comprises afirst dose of at least one anti-methanogenic statin and a second dose ofat least one antimethanogenic statin (e.g. the first and second dosesmay be the same or different antimethanogenic statin at a given dose, orthe first and second doses may be the same antimethanogenic statin atthe same or different doses). In various embodiments, the first dose andthe second dose are released at different times and/or at different pHsand in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract. In someembodiments, the first and/or second dose of at least oneantimethanogenic statin is encapsulated in a core particle. Amodified-release coating may be disposed over the core particle to forma modified-release particle. In certain embodiments, the formulationcomprises a plurality of modified-release particles. In an illustrativeembodiment, the formulation maybe in the form of a capsule. In anotherembodiment, the first and second dose of at least one antimethanogenicstatin is encapsulated in a layer. A modified-release coating may bedisposed over the layer to form a modified-release layer. In certainembodiments, the formulation comprises a plurality of modified-releaselayers. In an illustrative embodiment, the formulation maybe in the formof a multilayer tablet.

In some embodiments, the first dose and second dose of antimethanogenicstatins are released at different times and or at different pHs. Inillustrative embodiments, the first dose may release theantimethanogenic statin at the duodenum while the second dose mayrelease the antimethanogenic statin at the ileum. In other embodiments,the first dose may release the antimethanogenic statin at the smallintestine while the second dose may release the antimethanogenic statinat the large intestine.

The formulations of the present invention may further include apharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In some embodiments, theformulation may further include an agent which prevents or reduceslactone ring-opening, such as an esterase inhibitor (e.g. grapefruitjuice; , including flavonoid components such as, for example,naringenin, kaempferol, morin, galangin, and quercetin; flavoring estermixtures in, for example, strawberry juice (e.g. phenyl benzoate, propylparaben, phenethyl isobutyrate, bacampicillin, talampicillin, p-tolylbenzoate, ethyl paraben, diethyl phthalate, octyl acetate, andpivampicillin) and/or a paraoxonase inhibitor (e.g. PON1 or PON3inhibitor). In some embodiments, the formulation may further include aninhibitor of the organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP)transporter, such as one or more of green tea extract, epicatechingallate (ECG) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). In some embodiments,the OATP inhibitor is released prior to release of the statin. Theformulations of the present invention may also further include anadditional therapeutic agent such as, by way of non-limiting example, aprokinetic agent.

In one aspect, the present invention provides for methods of inhibitingor reducing methanogenesis and/or methane accumulation by administeringthe formulations described herein to a subject in need thereof. In someembodiments, the subject suffers from IBS, such as IBS-C. In otherembodiments, the subject suffers from obesity. In yet anotherembodiment, the subject suffers from diabetes. In various aspects, thepresent invention provides for methods of treating or preventing amethanogen-associated disorder optionally selected from one or more ofIBS, such as IBS-C, diabetes, and obesity by administering theformulations described herein to a subject in need thereof.

In another aspect, the present invention also provides for methods oftreating constipation by administering the formulations described hereinto a subject in need thereof. A further aspect of the invention providesmethods for treating (e.g. reducing or eliminating) enteric methaneproduction by administering the formulations described herein to asubject in need thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A-1B depict some embodiments of a modified-release formulation inthe form of encapsulated beads which releases a first statin dose at theduodenum and a second statin dose at the ileum.

FIG. 2 depicts embodiments of modified-release formulations asmulti-layer capsules or tablets for statin delivery to the intestines(an illustrative commercial material is shown, related materials areknown in the art).

FIGS. 3A-3B depict embodiments of modified-release formulations forcolonic delivery (an illustrative commercial material is shown, relatedmaterials are known in the art).

FIG. 4 depicts various embodiments of modified-release formulations inthe form of capsules that delivers either one or two doses of statin tothe intestines.

FIG. 5 depicts the release profile of lovastatin from the SYN-010 (21mg) formulation.

FIG. 6 shows the estimated lovastatin lactone levels in thegastrointestinal tract after oral administration.

FIG. 7 depicts the dissolution methodology utilized to evaluatelovastatin release from enteric-coated mini-tablets at different pHvalues.

FIG. 8 depicts the dissolution profile of the SYN-010 (42 mg) capsule ina Type 2 apparatus at different pH values.

FIGS. 9A-9D show the results of a clinical chart review. FIG. 9A showsan absolute change and FIG. 9B shows percentage change, from baseline inbreath methane versus ALTOPREV dose (15, 30 or 60 mg q.d.). FIG. 9Cshows an absolute change and FIG. 9D shows percentage change, frombaseline in breath methane versus baseline breath methane (ppm) inpatients treated with ALTOPREV (15, 30 or 60 mg q.d.).

FIG. 10A shows that 7 weeks of high fat diet augmented stool M. smithiicolonization in rats. FIG. 10B shows that the high fat diet also reducedstool wet weight in the rats.

FIG. 11 shows that after lovastatin administration, ileal ratio of M.smithii to total bacteria was reduced.

FIGS. 12A-12B show mean (n=5) plasma concentration time profiles forlovastatin lactone and lovastatin β-hydroxyacid, respectively, afteroral administration of different lovastatin formulations to beagle dogs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based, in part, on the surprising discovery offormulations and methods that are useful in effectively treating orpreventing methanogen-associated disorders while avoiding side effects.The present invention provides, inter alia, modified-releaseformulations comprising one or more anti-methanogenic statins which isuseful in, for example, the treatment of methanogen-associated disorderssuch as, for example, IBS (including, for example, IBS-C).

As used herein, “antimethanogenic statin” or “statin” refers to a classof compounds that is known in the art as inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductaseused as lipid lowering agents. However, the prior use of the statincompounds does not necessarily imply a mechanism of action in thetreatment of methanogenesis. That is, in some embodiments, the statinmay inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase while in others it may haveanother manner of causing an effect. For example, the statin may targeta methanogenic enzyme, such as, for example, one or more of adh alcoholdehydrogenase; fdh formate dehydrogenase; fno F420-dependent NADPoxidoreductase; ftr formyl-MF:H4MPT formyltransferase; fwd formyl-MFdehydrogenase; hmd methylene-H4MPT dehydrogenase; mch methenyl-H4MPTcyclohydrolase; mtd F420-dependent methylene-H4MPT dehydrogenase; merF420-dependent methylene-H4MPT reductase; mtrmethyl-H4MPT:CoM-methyltransferase; mcr methyl-CoM reductase; and themtaB methanol:cobalamin methyltransferase (7) heterodisulfide reductasesystem. In some embodiments, the statin does not substantially inhibitthe enzyme HMG-CoA reductase.

Systemic statin usage has been associated with adverse side effects suchas elevation in hepatic enzyme levels and muscle problems (e.g.,myalgias, rhabdomyolysis, and severe myopathy). Further, systemic statinusage has been linked to digestive disorders in some patients. Themodified release formulations of the present invention minimizeabsorption of the administered antimethanogenic statin from theintestine into the systemic circulation and reduce side effects, ordisease exacerbating effects, associated with the statin. Additionally,not all patients with IBS-C or CIC will require lipid lowering therapy,so statin systemic absorption from the modified release formulations ofthe present invention will ideally be insufficient to provide aclinically-meaningful reduction in total cholesterol (total-C), orlow-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or apolipoprotein B (ApoB), or triglycerides (TG), or a clinically-meaningful increase inhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (for example, a reductionof less than 5% in serum LDL-C levels at 6 weeks).

Modified Release Profile

In one aspect, the present invention provides modified releaseformulations comprising at least one anti-methanogenic agent, whereinthe formulation releases at least about 60% of the anti-methanogenicagent, such as anti-methanogenic statins, after the stomach and into oneor more regions of the intestinal tract.

In various embodiments, the anti-methanogenic agent is an agent that caninhibit the production of methane, inhibit methanogenesis, or inhibitthe growth and/or proliferation of methanogens. In some aspects, theanti-methanogenic agent is a statin hydroxyacid molecule which typicallyis, without wishing to be bound by theory, an effective inhibitor ofHMG-CoA reductase or a statin lactone which typically is, withoutwishing to be bound by theory, an ineffective HMG-CoA inhibitor. In someaspects, the anti-methanogenic agent is referred to as an“antimethanogenic statin” or “statin.”

In one aspect, the present invention provides modified releaseformulations comprising at least one antimethanogenic statin, whereinthe formulation releases at least 60% of the antimethanogenic stainafter the stomach into one or more regions of the intestinal tract.

Illustrative statins useful for the invention include, but are notlimited to, atorvastatin, cerivastatin, dalvastatin, eptastatin,fluindostatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, mevastatin, pitavastatin,pravastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, velostatin, and pharmaceuticallyacceptable esters, prodrugs, salts, solvates, enantiomers,stereoisomers, active metabolites, co-crystals, and otherphysiologically functional derivatives thereof. In one embodiment, thestatin is pravastatin. In another embodiment, the statin is lovastatin.In yet another embodiment, the statin is simvastatin. In someembodiments, the statin is in either the lactone or hydroxyacid form. Insome embodiments, the antimethanogenic statin is the lactone form of oneor more of atorvastatin, cerivastatin, dalvastatin, eptastatin,fluindostatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, mevastatin, pitavastatin,pravastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, velostatin. In some embodiments,the antimethanogenic statin is the hydroxyacid form of one or more ofatorvastatin, cerivastatin, dalvastatin, eptastatin, fluindostatin,fluvastatin, lovastatin, mevastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin,rosuvastatin, simvastatin, velostatin.

In some embodiments, the antimethanogenic statin is the lactone form ofone or more of lovastatin, simvastatin, and mevastatin. In someembodiments, the antimethanogenic statin is the lactone form oflovastatin.

In various embodiments, the antimethanogenic statin (e.g. lovastatin) issubstantially in the lactone form at the site of delivery by the presentformulations. For example, in some embodiments, the amount of GItract-delivered antimethanogenic statin (e.g. lovastatin) which is inthe lactone form is more than about 95%, or more than about 90%, or morethan about 85%, or more than about 80%, or more than about 75%, or morethan about 70%, or more than about 65%, or more than about 60%, or morethan about 55%, or more than about 50%, or more than about 25%.

In various embodiments, the modified-release formulations of the presentinvention are designed for immediate release (e.g. upon ingestion). Invarious embodiments, the modified-release formulations may havesustained-release profiles, i.e. slow release of the activeingredient(s) in the body (e.g., GI tract) over an extended period oftime. In various embodiments, the modified-release formulations may havea delayed-release profile, i.e. not immediately release the activeingredient(s) upon ingestion; rather, postponement of the release of theactive ingredient(s) until the composition is lower in thegastrointestinal tract; for example, for release in the small intestine(e.g., one or more of duodenum, jejunum, ileum) or the large intestine(e.g., one or more of cecum, ascending, transverse, descending orsigmoid portions of the colon, and rectum). For example, a compositioncan be enteric coated to delay release of the active ingredient(s) untilit reaches the small intestine or large intestine. In some embodiments,there is not a substantial amount of the active ingredient(s) of thepresent formulations in the stool.

In various embodiments, the modified-release formulation of the presentinvention releases (optionally as a first release) at least 5%, 10%,15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, or 60% of theantimethanogenic statin after the stomach into one or more regions ofthe intestine. For example, the modified-release formulation releases atleast 60%, at least 61%, at least 62%, at least 63%, at least 64%, atleast 65%, at least 66%, at least 67%, at least 68%, at least 69%, atleast 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, atleast 75%, at least 76%, at least 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, atleast 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, atleast 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, atleast 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, atleast 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or100% of the antimethanogenic statin in the intestine.

In various embodiments, the modified-release formulation releases(optionally as a first release) the antimethanogenic statin in the smallintestine. In various embodiments, the modified-release formulation ofthe present invention releases at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%,35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, or 60% of the antimethanogenic statin in thesmall intestine. For example, the modified-release formulation releasesat least 60%, at least 61%, at least 62%, at least 63%, at least 64%, atleast 65%, at least 66%, at least 67%, at least 68%, at least 69%, atleast 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, atleast 75%, at least 76%, at least 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, atleast 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, atleast 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, atleast 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, atleast 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or100% of the antimethanogenic statin in the small intestine.

In one embodiment, the formulation releases (optionally as a firstrelease) the antimethanogenic statin in the duodenum. In variousembodiments, the modified-release formulation of the present inventionreleases at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%,or 60% of the antimethanogenic statin in the duodenum. For example, themodified-release formulation releases at least 60%, at least 61%, atleast 62%, at least 63%, at least 64%, at least 65%, at least 66%, atleast 67%, at least 68%, at least 69%, at least 70%, at least 71%, atleast 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, at least 75%, at least 76%, atleast 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, at least 81%, atleast 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, atleast 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, atleast 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, atleast 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% of the antimethanogenicstatin in the duodenum.

In another embodiment, the formulation releases (optionally as a firstrelease) the antimethanogenic statin in the jejunum. In variousembodiments, the modified-release formulation of the present inventionreleases at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%,or 60% of the antimethanogenic statin in the jejunum. For example, themodified-release formulation releases at least 60%, at least 61%, atleast 62%, at least 63%, at least 64%, at least 65%, at least 66%, atleast 67%, at least 68%, at least 69%, at least 70%, at least 71%, atleast 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, at least 75%, at least 76%, atleast 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, at least 81%, atleast 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, atleast 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, atleast 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, atleast 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% of the antimethanogenicstatin in the jejunum.

In a further embodiment, the formulation releases (optionally as a firstrelease) the antimethanogenic statin in the ileum and/or the ileocecaljunction. In various embodiments, the modified-release formulation ofthe present invention releases at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%,35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, or 60% of the antimethanogenic statin in theileum and/or the ileocecal junction. For example, the modified-releaseformulation releases at least 60%, at least 61%, at least 62%, at least63%, at least 64%, at least 65%, at least 66%, at least 67%, at least68%, at least 69%, at least 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%, at least73%, at least 74%, at least 75%, at least 76%, at least 77%, at least78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least98%, at least 99%, or 100% of the antimethanogenic statin in the ileumand/or the ileocecal junction.

In other embodiments, the modified-release formulation releases(optionally as a first release) the antimethanogenic statin in the largeintestine. In various embodiments, the modified-release formulation ofthe present invention releases at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%,35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, or 60% of the antimethanogenic statin in thelarge intestine. For example, the modified-release formulation releasesat least 60%, at least 61%, at least 62%, at least 63%, at least 64%, atleast 65%, at least 66%, at least 67%, at least 68%, at least 69%, atleast 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, atleast 75%, at least 76%, at least 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, atleast 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, atleast 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, atleast 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, atleast 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or100% of the antimethanogenic statin in the large intestine.

In an embodiment, the modified-release formulation releases (optionallyas a first release) the antimethanogenic statin in the cecum. In variousembodiments, the modified-release formulation of the present inventionreleases at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%,or 60% of the antimethanogenic statin in the cecum. For example, themodified-release formulation releases at least 60%, at least 61%, atleast 62%, at least 63%, at least 64%, at least 65%, at least 66%, atleast 67%, at least 68%, at least 69%, at least 70%, at least 71%, atleast 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, at least 75%, at least 76%, atleast 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, at least 81%, atleast 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, atleast 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, atleast 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, atleast 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% of the antimethanogenicstatin in the cecum.

In another embodiment, the modified-release formulation releases(optionally as a first release) the antimethanogenic statin in theascending colon. In various embodiments, the modified-releaseformulation of the present invention releases at least 5%, 10%, 15%,20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, or 60% of the antimethanogenicstatin in the ascending colon. For example, the modified-releaseformulation releases at least 60%, at least 61%, at least 62%, at least63%, at least 64%, at least 65%, at least 66%, at least 67%, at least68%, at least 69%, at least 70%, at least 71%, at least 72%, at least73%, at least 74%, at least 75%, at least 76%, at least 77%, at least78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least98%, at least 99%, or 100% of the antimethanogenic statin in theascending colon.

In yet another embodiment, the antimethanogenic statin is released(optionally as a first release) in the transverse colon. In variousembodiments, the modified-release formulation of the present inventionreleases at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%,or 60% of the antimethanogenic statin in the transverse colon. Forexample, the modified-release formulation releases at least 60%, atleast 61%, at least 62%, at least 63%, at least 64%, at least 65%, atleast 66%, at least 67%, at least 68%, at least 69%, at least 70%, atleast 71%, at least 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, at least 75%, atleast 76%, at least 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, atleast 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, atleast 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, atleast 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, atleast 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% of theantimethanogenic statin in the transverse colon.

In a further embodiment, the antimethanogenic statin is released(optionally as a first release) in the descending colon. In variousembodiments, the modified-release formulation of the present inventionreleases at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%,or 60% of the antimethanogenic statin in the descending colon. Forexample, the modified-release formulation releases at least 60%, atleast 61%, at least 62%, at least 63%, at least 64%, at least 65%, atleast 66%, at least 67%, at least 68%, at least 69%, at least 70%, atleast 71%, at least 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, at least 75%, atleast 76%, at least 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, atleast 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, atleast 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, atleast 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, atleast 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% of theantimethanogenic statin in the descending colon.

In another embodiment, the antimethanogenic statin is released(optionally as a first release) in the sigmoid colon. In variousembodiments, the modified-release formulation of the present inventionreleases at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%,or 60% of the antimethanogenic statin in the sigmoid colon. For example,the modified-release formulation releases at least 60%, at least 61%, atleast 62%, at least 63%, at least 64%, at least 65%, at least 66%, atleast 67%, at least 68%, at least 69%, at least 70%, at least 71%, atleast 72%, at least 73%, at least 74%, at least 75%, at least 76%, atleast 77%, at least 78%, at least 79%, at least 80%, at least 81%, atleast 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, atleast 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, atleast 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, atleast 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% of the antimethanogenicstatin in the sigmoid colon.

In certain embodiments, the modified-release formulation does notsubstantially release the antimethanogenic statin in the stomach.

In some embodiments, the modified-release formulation is a HPMC capsulefilled with enteric-coated mini-tablets from which lovastatin isreleased at different intestinal pH values. The mini-tablets aredesigned to pass through the stomach unchanged then release a smallamount of lovastatin into the duodenum and the majority of thelovastatin dose into the ileocecal junction and colon.

In certain embodiments, the modified-release formulation releases theantimethanogenic statin at a specific pH. For example, in someembodiments, the modified-release formulation is substantially stable inan acidic environment and substantially unstable (e.g., dissolvesrapidly or is physically unstable) in a near neutral to alkalineenvironment. In some embodiments, stability is indicative of notsubstantially releasing while instability is indicative of substantiallyreleasing. For example, in some embodiments, the modified-releaseformulation is substantially stable at a pH of about 7.0 or less, orabout 6.5 or less, or about 6.0 or less, or about 5.5 or less, or about5.0 or less, or about 4.5 or less, or about 4.0 or less, or about 3.5 orless, or about 3.0 or less, or about 2.5 or less, or about 2.0 or less,or about 1.5 or less, or about 1.0 or less. In some embodiments, thepresent formulations are stable in lower pH areas and therefore do notsubstantially release in, for example, the stomach. In some embodiments,modified-release formulation is substantially stable at a pH of about 1to about 4 or lower and substantially unstable at pH values that aregreater. In these embodiments, the modified-release formulation is notsubstantially released in the stomach. In these embodiments, themodified-release formulation is substantially released in the smallintestine (e.g. one or more of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) and/orlarge intestine (e.g. one or more of the cecum, ascending colon,transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon). In someembodiments, modified-release formulation is substantially stable at apH of about 4 to about 5 or lower and consequentially is substantiallyunstable at pH values that are greater and therefore is notsubstantially released in the stomach and/or small intestine (e.g. oneor more of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum). In these embodiments, themodified-release formulation is substantially released in the largeintestine (e.g. one or more of the cecum, ascending colon, transversecolon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon). In various embodiments, thepH values recited herein may be adjusted as known in the art to accountfor the state of the subject, e.g. whether in a fasting or postprandialstate.

In some embodiments, the modified-release formulation is substantiallystable in gastric fluid and substantially unstable in intestinal fluidand, accordingly, is substantially released in the small intestine (e.g.one or more of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) and/or large intestine(e.g. one or more of the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon,descending colon, and sigmoid colon).

In some embodiments, the modified-release formulation is stable ingastric fluid or stable in acidic environments. These modified-releaseformulations release about 30% or less by weight of the antimethanogenicstatin and/or additional therapeutic agent in the modified-releaseformulation in gastric fluid with a pH of about 4 to about 5 or less, orsimulated gastric fluid with a pH of about 4 to about 5 or less, inabout 15, or about 30, or about 45, or about 60, or about 90 minutes.Modified-release formulations of the of the invention may release fromabout 0% to about 30%, from about 0% to about 25%, from about 0% toabout 20%, from about 0% to about 15%, from about 0% to about 10%, about5% to about 30%, from about 5% to about 25%, from about 5% to about 20%,from about 5% to about 15%, from about 5% to about 10% by weight of theantimethanogenic statin and/or additional therapeutic agent in themodified-release formulation in gastric fluid with a pH of 4-5, or lessor simulated gastric fluid with a pH of 4-5 or less, in about 15, orabout 30, or about 45, or about 60, or about 90 minutes.Modified-release formulations of the invention may release about 1%,about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%,about 9%, or about 10% by weight of the total antimethanogenic statinand/or additional therapeutic agent in the modified-release formulationin gastric fluid with a pH of 5 or less, or simulated gastric fluid witha pH of 5 or less, in about 15, or about 30, or about 45, or about 60,or about 90 minutes.

In some embodiments, the modified-release formulation is unstable inintestinal fluid. These modified-release formulations release about 70%or more by weight of the antimethanogenic statin and/or additionaltherapeutic agent in the modified-release formulation in intestinalfluid or simulated intestinal fluid in about 15, or about 30, or about45, or about 60, or about 90 minutes. In some embodiments, themodified-release formulation is unstable in near neutral to alkalineenvironments. These modified-release formulations release about 70% ormore by weight of the antimethanogenic statin and/or additionaltherapeutic agent in the modified-release formulation in intestinalfluid with a pH of about 4-5 or greater, or simulated intestinal fluidwith a pH of about 4-5 or greater, in about 15, or about 30, or about45, or about 60, or about 90 minutes. A modified-release formulationthat is unstable in near neutral or alkaline environments may release70% or more by weight of antimethanogenic statin and/or additionaltherapeutic agent in the modified-release formulation in a fluid havinga pH greater than about 5 (e.g., a fluid having a pH of from about 5 toabout 14, from about 6 to about 14, from about 7 to about 14, from about8 to about 14, from about 9 to about 14, from about 10 to about 14, orfrom about 11 to about 14) in from about 5 minutes to about 90 minutes,or from about 10 minutes to about 90 minutes, or from about 15 minutesto about 90 minutes, or from about 20 minutes to about 90 minutes, orfrom about 25 minutes to about 90 minutes, or from about 30 minutes toabout 90 minutes, or from about 5 minutes to about 60 minutes, or fromabout 10 minutes to about 60 minutes, or from about 15 minutes to about60 minutes, or from about 20 minutes to about 60 minutes, or from about25 minutes to about 90 minutes, or from about 30 minutes to about 60minutes.

In one embodiment, the modified-release formulation may remainessentially intact, or may be essentially insoluble, in gastric fluid.The stability of the delayed-release coating can be pH dependent.Delayed-release coatings that are pH dependent will be substantiallystable in acidic environments (pH of about 5 or less), and substantiallyunstable in near neutral to alkaline environments (pH greater than about5). For example, the delayed-release coating may essentiallydisintegrate or dissolve in near neutral to alkaline environments suchas are found in the small intestine (e.g. one or more of the duodenum,jejunum, and ileum) and/or large intestine (e.g. one or more of thececum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoidcolon).

Examples of simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluidinclude, but are not limited to, those disclosed in the 2005Pharmacopeia 23NF/28USP in Test Solutions at page 2858 and/or othersimulated gastric fluids and simulated intestinal fluids known to thoseof skill in the art, for example, simulated gastric fluid and/orintestinal fluid prepared without enzymes.

Alternatively, the stability of the modified-release formulation can beenzyme-dependent. Delayed-release coatings that are enzyme dependentwill be substantially stable in fluid that does not contain a particularenzyme and substantially unstable in fluid containing the enzyme. Thedelayed-release coating will essentially disintegrate or dissolve influid containing the appropriate enzyme. Enzyme-dependent control can bebrought about, for example, by using materials which release the activeingredient only on exposure to enzymes in the intestine, such asgalactomannans. Also, the stability of the modified-release formulationcan be dependent on enzyme stability in the presence of a microbialenzyme present in the gut flora.

In some embodiments, a dual pulse formulation is provided. In variousembodiments, the present invention provides for modified-releaseformulations that release multiple doses of the antimethanogenic statin,at different locations along the intestines, at different times, and/orat different pH. In an illustrative embodiment, the modified-releaseformulation comprises a first dose of the antimethanogenic statin and asecond dose of the antimethanogenic statin, wherein the first dose andthe second dose are released at different locations along theintestines, at different times, and/or at different pH. For example, thefirst dose is released at the duodenum, and the second dose is releasedat the ileocecal junction and/or colon. In another example, the firstdose is released at the jejunum, and the second dose is released at theileum. In other embodiments, the first dose is released at a locationalong the small intestine (e.g., the duodenum), while the second dose isreleased along the large intestine (e.g., the ascending colon). Invarious embodiments, the modified-release formulation may release atleast one dose, at least two doses, at least three doses, at least fourdoses, at least five doses, at least six doses, at least seven doses, orat least eight doses of the antimethanogenic statin at differentlocations along the intestines, at different times, and/or at differentpH. Each individual dose may comprise the same statin or may comprisedifferent statins. For example, the modified-release formulation mayrelease multiple doses, with the first dose being released at theduodenum and the second and/or additional dose being released at theileocecal junction and/or colon.

In some embodiments, the dual pulse formulation is an enteric-coatedcapsule comprising beads or mini-tablets that comprise anantimethanogenic statin and optionally an additional therapeutic agent.In some embodiments, the enteric-coated capsule dissolves in a firstarea of GI tract to release the beads or mini-tablets and/or a firstpopulation of beads or mini-tablets releases in a second area of the GItract and (that is not the same as the first area of the GI tract) and asecond population of beads or mini-tablets releases in a third area ofthe GI tract and (that is not the same as the first or second areas ofthe GI tract). In some embodiments, the dose/release ratio (e.g. howmuch agent is released in various locations) can be tuned as needed. Insome embodiments, the enteric-coated capsule dissolves in the duodenumto release the beads or mini-tablets and/or a first population of beadsor mini-tablets releases in the duodenum and/or a second population ofbeads or mini-tablets releases in the ileocecal junction (see, e.g.FIGS. 1-4 ).

In alternative embodiments, the dual pulse formulation is awater-soluble capsule comprising enteric-coated beads or mini-tabletsthat comprise an antimethanogenic statin and optionally an additionaltherapeutic agent. Illustrative water-soluble capsules include, but arenot limited to, gelatin and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)capsules. In some embodiments, the water-soluble capsule dissolves in afirst area of GI tract to release the beads or mini-tablets and/or afirst population of beads or mini-tablets releases in a second area ofthe GI tract and (that is not the same as the first area of the GItract) and a second population of beads or mini-tablets releases in athird area of the GI tract and (that is not the same as the first orsecond areas of the GI tract). In some embodiments, the water-solublecapsule dissolves in the stomach to release the beads or mini-tabletsand/or a first population of beads or mini-tablets releases in theduodenum and/or a second population of beads or mini-tablets releases inthe ileocecal junction and/or colon.

Modified Release Formulation and Dosage Forms

The modified-release formulation of the present invention may furthercomprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. As oneskilled in the art will recognize, the formulations can be in anysuitable form appropriate for the desired use and route ofadministration. Examples of suitable dosage forms include, for example,oral and parenteral dosage forms.

Suitable dosage forms for oral use include, for example, solid dosageforms such as tablets, dispersible powders, granules, and capsules. Inone embodiment, the modified-release formulation is in the form of atablet. In another embodiment, the modified-release formulation is inthe form of a capsule. In yet another embodiment, the modified-releaseformulation is in the form of a soft-gel capsule. In a furtherembodiment, the modified-release formulation is in the form of a gelatincapsule. In a further embodiment, the modified-release formulation is inthe form of a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) capsule.

In such dosage forms, the active compound is mixed with at least oneinert, pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier such as sodiumcitrate, dicalcium phosphate, etc., and/or a) fillers, diluents, orextenders such as starches, lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, silicicacid, microcrystalline cellulose (e.g., Avicel PH102), and BakersSpecial Sugar, etc., b) binders such as, for example,carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidone,sucrose, acacia, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone,methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, andcopovidones such as Kollidon® VA64, and Kollidon® VA64 Fine, etc., c)humectants such as glycerol, etc., d) disintegrating agents such asagar-agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch, alginic acid,certain silicates, sodium carbonate, cross-linked polymers such ascrospovidone (cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone), croscarmellose sodium(cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose), sodium starch glycolate,etc., e) solution retarding agents such as paraffin, etc., f) absorptionaccelerators such as quaternary ammonium compounds, etc., g) wettingagents such as, for example, cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate,etc., h) absorbents such as kaolin and bentonite clay, etc., i)lubricants such as talc, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, solidpolyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate, glyceryl behenate, etc., j)antioxidants such as propyl gallate, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA),butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (alsoknown as Edetic Acid or EDTA) etc., k) viscosity and dispersion agentssuch as silicon dioxide or silica, and mixtures of such excipients. Oneof skill in the art will recognize that particular excipients may havetwo or more functions in the oral dosage form. In the case of an oraldosage form, for example, a capsule or a tablet, the dosage form mayalso comprise buffering agents.

The modified release formulation can additionally include a surfaceactive agent. Surface active agents suitable for use in the presentinvention include, but are not limited to, any pharmaceuticallyacceptable, non-toxic surfactant. Classes of surfactants suitable foruse in the compositions of the invention include, but are not limited topolyethoxylated fatty acids, PEG-fatty acid diesters, PEG-fatty acidmono- and di-ester mixtures, polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty acidesters, alcohol-oil transesterification products, polyglycerized fattyacids, propylene glycol fatty acid esters, mixtures of propylene glycolesters-glycerol esters, mono- and diglycerides, sterol and sterolderivatives, polyethylene glycol sorbitan fatty acid esters,polyethylene glycol alkyl ethers, sugar esters, polyethylene glycolalkyl phenols, polyoxyethylene-olyoxypropylene block copolymers,sorbitan fatty acid esters, lower alcohol fatty acid esters, ionicsurfactants, and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, compositions ofthe invention may comprise one or more surfactants including, but notlimited to, sodium lauryl sulfate, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 40,polysorbate 60, polysorbate 80, and triethyl citrate.

The modified-release formulation can also contain pharmaceuticallyacceptable plasticizers to obtain the desired mechanical properties suchas flexibility and hardness. Such plasticizers include, but are notlimited to, triacetin, citric acid esters, phthalic acid esters, dibutylsebacate, cetyl alcohol, polyethylene glycols, polysorbates or otherplasticizers.

The modified-release formulation can also include one or moreapplication solvents. Some of the more common solvents that can be usedto apply, for example, a delayed-release coating composition includeisopropyl alcohol, acetone, methylene chloride and the like.

The modified-release formulation can also include one or moredisintegrants. Illustrative disintegrants that may be utilized include,but are not limited to crospovidones such as Kollidon® CL, Kollidon®CL-F, Kollidon® CL-SF, or Kollidon® CL-M,

The modified-release formulation can also include one or more alkalinematerials. Alkaline material suitable for use in compositions of theinvention include, but are not limited to, sodium, potassium, calcium,magnesium and aluminum salts of acids such as phosphoric acid, carbonicacid, citric acid and other aluminum/magnesium compounds. In additionthe alkaline material may be selected from antacid materials such asaluminum hydroxides, calcium hydroxides, magnesium hydroxides andmagnesium oxide.

The solid oral dosage forms can be prepared by any conventional methodknown in the art, for example granulation (e.g., wet or dry granulation)of the active compound (e.g., statins) with one or more suitableexcipients. Alternatively, the active compound can be layered onto aninert core (e.g., a nonpareil/sugar sphere or silica sphere) usingconventional methods such as fluidized bed or pan coating, or extrudedand spheronized using methods known in the art, into activecompound-containing beads. Such beads can then be incorporated intotablets or capsules using conventional methods.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration include pharmaceuticallyacceptable emulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups and elixirs. Inaddition to the active compounds, the liquid dosage forms may containinert diluents commonly used in the art such as, for example, water orother solvents, solubilizing agents and emulsifiers such as ethylalcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzylalcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol,dimethyl formamide, oils (in particular, cottonseed, groundnut, corn,germ, olive, castor, and sesame oils), glycerol, tetrahydrofurfurylalcohol, polyethylene glycols and fatty acid esters of sorbitan, etc.,and mixtures thereof.

Besides inert diluents, the oral compositions can also include adjuvantssuch as sweetening, flavoring, and perfuming agents.

Suspensions, in addition to the active compounds, may contain suspendingagents such as, for example, ethoxylated isostearyl alcohols,polyoxyethylene sorbitol and sorbitan esters, microcrystallinecellulose, aluminum metahydroxide, bentonite, agar-agar, tragacanth,etc., and mixtures thereof.

The formulations comprising the therapeutic agents of the presentinvention may conveniently be presented in unit dosage forms and may beprepared by any of the methods well known in the art of pharmacy. Suchmethods generally include the step of bringing the therapeutic agentsinto association with a carrier, which constitutes one or more accessoryingredients. Typically, the formulations are prepared by uniformly andintimately bringing the therapeutic agent into association with a liquidcarrier, a finely divided solid carrier, or both, and then, ifnecessary, shaping the product into dosage forms of the desiredformulation (e.g., wet or dry granulation, powder blends, etc., followedby tableting using conventional methods known in the art).

In various embodiments, the modified-release formulation of the presentinvention may utilize one or more modified-release coatings such asdelayed-release coatings to provide for effective, delayed yetsubstantial delivery of the antimethanogenic statin to the GI tracttogether with, optionally, other therapeutic agents.

In one embodiment, the delayed-release coating includes an enteric agentthat is substantially stable in acidic environments and substantiallyunstable in near neutral to alkaline environments. In an embodiment, thedelayed-release coating contains an enteric agent that is substantiallystable in gastric fluid. The enteric agent can be selected from, forexample, solutions or dispersions of methacrylic acid copolymers,cellulose acetate phthalate, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose phthalate,polyvinyl acetate phthalate, carboxymethylethylcellulose, andEUDRAGIT®-type polymer (poly(methacrylic acid, methylmethacrylate),hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, cellulose acetatetrimellitate, shellac or other suitable enteric coating polymers. TheEUDRAGIT®-type polymers include, for example, EUDRAGIT® FS 30D, L 30D-55, L 100-55, L 100, L 12,5, L 12,5 P, RL 30 D, RL PO, RL 100, RL12,5, RS 30 D, RS PO, RS 100, RS 12,5, NE 30 D, NE 40 D, NM 30 D, S 100,S 12,5, and S 12,5 P. Similar polymers include Kollicoat® MAE 30 DP andKollicoat® MAE 100 P. In some embodiments, one or more of EUDRAGIT® FS30D, L 30 D-55, L 100-55, L 100, L 12,5, L 12,5 P RL 30 D, RL PO, RL100, RL 12,5, RS 30 D, RS PO, RS 100, RS 12,5, NE 30 D, NE 40 D, NM 30D, S 100, S 12,5 S 12,5 P, Kollicoat® MAE 30 DP and Kollicoat® MAE 100 Pis used. In various embodiments, the enteric agent may be a combinationof the foregoing solutions or dispersions. In certain embodiments, oneor more coating system additives are used with the enteric agent. Forexample, one or more PlasACRYL™ additives may be used as an anti-tackingagent coating additive. Illustrative PlasACRYL™ additives include, butare not limited to PlasACRYL™ HTP20 and PlasACRYL™ T20. In anembodiment, PlasACRYL™ HTP20 is formulated with EUDRAGIT® L 30 D-55coatings. In another embodiment, PlasACRYL™ T20 is formulated withEUDRAGIT® FS 30 D coatings.

In another embodiment, the delayed-release coating may degrade as afunction of time when in aqueous solution without regard to the pHand/or presence of enzymes in the solution. Such a coating may comprisea water insoluble polymer. Its solubility in aqueous solution istherefore independent of the pH. The term “pH independent” as usedherein means that the water permeability of the polymer and its abilityto release pharmaceutical ingredients is not a function of pH and/or isonly very slightly dependent on pH. Such coatings may be used toprepare, for example, sustained release formulations. Suitable waterinsoluble polymers include pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxicpolymers that are substantially insoluble in aqueous media, e.g., water,independent of the pH of the solution. Suitable polymers include, butare not limited to, cellulose ethers, cellulose esters, or celluloseether-esters, i.e., a cellulose derivative in which some of the hydroxygroups on the cellulose skeleton are substituted with alkyl groups andsome are modified with alkanoyl groups. Examples include ethylcellulose, acetyl cellulose, nitrocellulose, and the like. Otherexamples of insoluble polymers include, but are not limited to, lacquer,and acrylic and/or methacrylic ester polymers, polymers or copolymers ofacrylate or methacrylate having a low quaternary ammonium content, ormixture thereof and the like. Other examples of insoluble polymersinclude EUDRAGIT RS®, EUDRAGIT RL®, and EUDRAGIT NE®. Insoluble polymersuseful in the present invention include polyvinyl esters, polyvinylacetals, polyacrylic acid esters, butadiene styrene copolymers, and thelike. In one embodiment, colonic delivery is achieved by use of aslowly-eroding wax plug (e.g., various PEGS, including for example,PEG6000).

In a further embodiment, the delayed-release coating may be degraded bya microbial enzyme present in the gut flora. In one embodiment, thedelayed-release coating may be degraded by a bacteria present in thesmall intestine. In another embodiment, the delayed-release coating maybe degraded by a bacteria present in the large intestine.

The present invention provides for modified-release formulations thatrelease multiple doses of the antimethanogenic statin along thegastrointestinal tract. The overall release profile of such aformulation may be adjusted by utilizing, for example, multiple particletypes or multiple layers. In one embodiment, the first dose of theantimethanogenic statin may be formulated for release in, for example,the duodenum, whereas the second dose is formulated for delayed releasein, for example, the ileum. In another embodiment, the first dose of theantimethanogenic statin may be formulated for release in, for example,the small intestines, whereas the second dose is formulated for delayedrelease in, for example, the large intestines. Alternatively, multipledoses are released at different locations alone the intestine.

In one embodiment, one or more doses of the antimethanogenic statin maybe encapsulated in a core particle, for example, in the form of amicrobead or a mini-tablet. For example, the first dose of theantimethanogenic statin may be encapsulated in a core particle coatedwith a modified-release coating designed for release at a first locationalong the intestinal tract, and the second dose of the antimethanogenicstatin may be encapsulated in a core particle coated with amodified-release coating designed for release at a second location alongthe intestinal tract. In various embodiments, the formulation maycomprise a plurality of such modified-release particles. For example,the formulation may be in the form of capsules comprising multiplemicrobeads or multiple mini-tablets. For example, the formulation may bein the form of capsules such as, for example, gelatin and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) capsules comprising multiple enteric-coatedmicrobeads or mini-tablets. In such an embodiment, a combination ofmicrobeads or mini-tablets may be utilized in which each microbead ormini-tablet is designed to release at a specific time point or location.In an alternative embodiment, the formulation is formulated as a capsulewithin a capsule, with each capsule having different time- orpH-dependent release properties.

In some embodiments, the formulation may comprise multiple microbeads ormultiple mini-tablets at specific ratios so as to release specifiedamount of the active ingredients at specific time points or locations.For example, the formulation may comprise specific ratios ofmini-tablets that release at a first location (e.g., the duodenum) or afirst pH (e.g., pH of about 5.5) and mini-tablets that release at asecond location (e.g., the ileocecal junction or colon) or a second pH(e.g., pH of about 7.0). In some embodiments, the ratio is about 1:10 toabout 10:1. For example, the formulation may comprise mini-tablets thatrelease at a first pH (e.g. pH of about 5.5) and at a second pH (e.g.,pH of about 7.0) at a ratio of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8,1:9, 1:10, 10:1, 9:1, 8:1, 7:1, 6:1, 5:1, 4:1, 3:1, or 2:1. In oneembodiment, the formulation may comprise mini-tablets that release at afirst pH (e.g. pH of about 5.5) and at a second pH (e.g., pH of about7.0) at a ratio of 1:2. In another embodiment, the formulation maycomprise mini-tablets that release at a first pH (e.g. pH of about 5.5)and at a second pH (e.g., pH of about 7.0) at a ratio of 1:5.

In another embodiment, one or more doses of the antimethanogenic statinmay be encapsulated in a layer. For example, the first dose of theantimethanogenic statin may be encapsulated in a layer coated with amodified-release coating designed for release at a first location alongthe intestinal tract, and the second dose of the antimethanogenic statinmay be encapsulated in a layer coated with a modified-release coatingdesigned for release at a second location along the intestinal tract.The formulation may comprise a plurality of such modified-releaselayers. For example, the formulation is in the form of multi-layeredtablet or a multi-layered capsule or capsules within capsules. Eachlayer may have different time- or pH-dependent release properties.

In the above embodiments, the coated particles or layers with thedelayed-release coating may be further covered with an overcoat layer.The overcoat layer can be applied as described for the other coatingcompositions. The overcoat materials are pharmaceutically acceptablecompounds such as sugar, polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone,polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, hydroxypropyl cellulose,methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose,carboxymethylcellulose sodium and others, used alone or in mixtures. Theovercoat materials can prevent potential agglomeration of particlescoated with the delayed-release coating, protect the delayed-releasecoating from cracking during the compaction process or enhance thetableting process.

Furthermore, in various embodiments, the agents described herein may bein the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, namely those saltswhich are suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans andother animals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response andthe like, and are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are well known in the art. The saltscan be prepared in situ during the final isolation and purification ofthe therapeutic agents, or separately by reacting the free base functionwith a suitable acid or a free acid functionality with an appropriatealkaline moiety. Representative acid addition salts include acetate,adipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate,bisulfate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphersulfonate, citrate,cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate,fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, hemisulfate, heptonate,hexanoate, hydrobromide, hydrochloride, hydroiodide,2-hydroxyethanesulfonate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, laurylsulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate,2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate,pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate,pivalate, propionate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate,thiocyanate, toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts, and thelike. Representative alkali or alkaline earth metal salts includesodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like, as well asnontoxic ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations, including,but not limited to ammonium, tetramethylammonium, tetraethylammonium,methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, triethylamine, ethylamine,and the like.

In various embodiments, the formulation comprises at least one microbeador mini-tablet. In some embodiments, each microbead or mini-tabletcomprises about 5-20% by weight the antimethanogenic statin (which is,in some embodiments, lovastatin, and in further embodiments, lovastatinlactone). For example, the antimethanogenic statin may be present atabout 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%,about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about18%, about 19%, or about 20% by weight. In some embodiments, eachmicrobead or mini-tablet may further comprise about 50-70% by weighttablet diluent (e.g., about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, about 60%,about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, or about 65%, or about 66%,about 67%, or about 68%, or about 69%, or about 70%). In someembodiments, each microbead or mini-tablet may further comprise about1-10% by weight tablet binder (e.g., about 1%, about 2%, about 3%, about4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, or about 10%). Insome embodiments, each microbead or mini-tablet may further compriseabout 0.1-3.0% by weight viscosity and dispersion agent (e.g., about0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 1.1%, about 1.2%, about1.3%, about 1.4%, about 1.5%, about 1.6%, about 1.7%, about 1.8%, about1.9%, about 2%, about 2.1%, about 2.2%, about 2.3%, about 2.4%, about2.5%, about 2.6%, about 2.7%, about 2.8%, about 2.9%, or about 3.0%). Insome embodiments, each microbead or mini-tablet may further compriseabout 0.1-3.0% by weight lubricant, for example, to facilitate tableting(e.g., about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 1.1%, about1.2%, about 1.3%, about 1.4%, about 1.5%, about 1.6%, about 1.7%, about1.8%, about 1.9%, about 2%, about 2.1%, about 2.2%, about 2.3%, about2.4%, about 2.5%, about 2.6%, about 2.7%, about 2.8%, about 2.9%, orabout 3.0%). In some embodiments, each microbead or mini-tablet mayfurther comprise about 1-10% by weight tablet disintegrant (e.g., about1%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about8%, about 9%, or about 10%). In some embodiments, each microbead ormini-tablet may further comprise about 10-20% by weight an entericpolymer that dissolves at a pH of either about 5.5 or about 7.0 (e.g.,about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, or about 20%).

In various embodiments, the formulation comprises one or more of, or twoor more of, or three or more of, or four or more of, or five or more of,or all of an antimethanogenic statin (which is, in some embodiments,lovastatin, and in further embodiments, lovastatin lactone), theantimethanogenic statin (which is, in some embodiments, lovastatin, andin further embodiments, lovastatin lactone) optionally being in twodoses; microcrystalline cellulose (e.g. Avicel PH102); copovidone (e.g.Kollidon VA64 Fine); silicon dioxide (e.g. Aerosil 200); magnesiumstearate; crospovidone (e.g. Kollidon CL or Kollidon CL-F); where thefirst dose of at least one antimethanogenic statin is encapsulated by anenteric polymer that dissolves at a pH of about 5.5 (e.g. EUDRAGIT L 30D-55 + PlasACRYL HTP20); and the second dose of at least oneantimethanogenic statin is encapsulated by an enteric polymer thatdissolves a at pH of about 7.0 (e.g. EUDRAGIT FS 30 D + PlasACRYL T20and/or EUDRAGIT® S 100).

In various embodiments, the formulation comprises at least one microbeador mini-tablet. Each microbead or mini-tablet comprises about 5-20% byweight of the antimethanogenic statin (which is, in some embodiments,lovastatin, and in further embodiments, lovastatin lactone). Forexample, the antimethanogenic statin may be present at about 5%, about6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%,or about 20% by weight. In some embodiments, each microbead ormini-tablet may further comprise about 50-70% by weight microcrystallinecellulose (e.g. Avicel PH102). For example, the microcrystallinecellulose may be present at about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%,about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, about60%, about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, or about 65%, or about66%, about 67%, or about 68%, or about 69%, or about 70% by weight. Insome embodiments, each microbead or mini-tablet may further compriseabout 1-10% by weight copovidone (e.g. Kollidon VA64 Fine). For example,the copovidone may be present at about 1%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%,about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, or about 10% byweight. In some embodiments, each microbead or mini-tablet may furthercomprise about 0.1-3.0% by weight silicon dioxide (e.g. Aerosil 200).For example, the silicon dioxide may be present at about 0.1%, about0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 1.1%, about 1.2%, about 1.3%, about1.4%, about 1.5%, about 1.6%, about 1.7%, about 1.8%, about 1.9%, about2%, about 2.1%, about 2.2%, about 2.3%, about 2.4%, about 2.5%, about2.6%, about 2.7%, about 2.8%, about 2.9%, or about 3.0% by weight. Insome embodiments, each microbead or mini-tablet may further compriseabout 0.1-3.0% by weight magnesium stearate (for example, about 0.1%,about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%,about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 1.1%, about 1.2%, about 1.3%,about 1.4%, about 1.5%, about 1.6%, about 1.7%, about 1.8%, about 1.9%,about 2%, about 2.1%, about 2.2%, about 2.3%, about 2.4%, about 2.5%,about 2.6%, about 2.7%, about 2.8%, about 2.9%, or about 3.0%). In someembodiments, each microbead or mini-tablet may further comprise about1-10% by weight crospovidone (e.g. Kollidon CL or Kollidon CL-F). Forexample, the crospovidone may be present at about 1%, about 2%, about3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, or about10% by weight. In some embodiments, each microbead or mini-tablet mayfurther comprise about 10-20% by weight an enteric polymer thatdissolves at a pH of about 5.5 (e.g. EUDRAGIT L 30 D-55 + PlasACRYLHTP20) or about 7.0 (e.g. EUDRAGIT FS 30 D + PlasACRYL T20 and/orEUDRAGIT® S100). For example, the enteric polymer may be about 10%,about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about17%, about 18%, about 19%, or about 20% by weight.

In some embodiments, the formulation comprises at least one microbead ormini-tablet with each microbead or mini-tablet comprising about 12% byweight the antimethanogenic statin (which is, in some embodiments,lovastatin, and in further embodiments, lovastatin lactone); about 60%by weight microcrystalline cellulose (e.g. Avicel PH102); about 6% byweight copovidone (e.g. Kollidon VA64 Fine); about 2% by weight silicondioxide (e.g. Aerosil 200); about 1% by weight magnesium stearate; about5% by weight crospovidone (e.g. Kollidon CL or Kollidon CL-F); and about15% by weight an enteric polymer that dissolves at a pH of about 5.5(e.g. EUDRAGIT L 30 D-55 + PlasACRYL HTP20) or about 7.0 (e.g. EUDRAGITFS 30 D + PlasACRYL T20 and/or EUDRAGIT® S100).

In some embodiments, the formulation comprises at least one microbead ormini-tablet with each microbead or mini-tablet comprising about 12.2% byweight lovastatin lactone; about 60.9% by weight microcrystallinecellulose (Avicel PH102); about 6.1% by weight copovidone (Kollidon VA64Fine); about 1.7% by weight silicon dioxide (Aerosil 200); about 0.9% byweight magnesium stearate; about 5.2% by weight crospovidone (KollidonCL-F); and either about 13.0% by weight of EUDRAGIT L 30 D-55 +PlasACRYL HTP20 coating (which dissolves at a pH of about 5.5) or 13% byweight of EUDRAGIT FS 30 D + PlasACRYL T20 coating (which dissolves at apH of about 7.0).

In various embodiments, the present formulation comprise a mini-tabletenteric coating thickness, e.g. EUDRAGIT, e.g. EUDRAGIT L 30 D-55 orEUDRAGIT FS 30 D, of greater than about 10%, about 13%, about 15%, orabout 17%, or about 20%, or about 25%.

In various embodiments, the formulation of the present invention maycomprise at least one mini-tablet that releases at a first pH (e.g. pHof about 5.5) and at least one mini-tablet that releases at a second pH(e.g., pH of about 7.0) at a ratio of 1:2. In such embodiments, theformulation may comprise about 5-20% by weight the antimethanogenicstatin (which is, in some embodiments, lovastatin, and in furtherembodiments, lovastatin lactone). For example, the antimethanogenicstatin may be present at about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%,about 16%, about 17%, about 18%, about 19%, or about 20% by weight ofthe entire formulation. In some embodiments, the formulation may furthercomprise about 30-60% by weight tablet diluent (e.g., about 30%, about31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%,about 38%, about 39%, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%,about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about57%, about 58%, about 59%, or about 60%). In some embodiments, theformulation may further comprise about 1-10% by weight tablet binder(e.g., about 1%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about7%, about 8%, about 9%, or about 10%). In some embodiments, theformulation may further comprise about 0.1-3.0% by weight viscosity anddispersion agent (e.g., about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%,about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%,about 1.1%, about 1.2%, about 1.3%, about 1.4%, about 1.5%, about 1.6%,about 1.7%, about 1.8%, about 1.9%, about 2%, about 2.1%, about 2.2%,about 2.3%, about 2.4%, about 2.5%, about 2.6%, about 2.7%, about 2.8%,about 2.9%, or about 3.0%). In some embodiments, the formulation mayfurther comprise about 0.1-3.0% by weight lubricant, for example, tofacilitate tableting (e.g., about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about1%, about 1.1%, about 1.2%, about 1.3%, about 1.4%, about 1.5%, about1.6%, about 1.7%, about 1.8%, about 1.9%, about 2%, about 2.1%, about2.2%, about 2.3%, about 2.4%, about 2.5%, about 2.6%, about 2.7%, about2.8%, about 2.9%, or about 3.0%). In some embodiments, the formulationmay further comprise about 1-10% by weight tablet disintegrant (e.g.,about 1%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%,about 8%, about 9%, or about 10%). In some embodiments, the formulationmay further comprise about 0.5-10% by weight an enteric polymer thatdissolves at a pH of about 5.5 (e.g. EUDRAGIT L 30 D-55 + PlasACRYLHTP20). For example, the enteric polymer that dissolves at a pH of about5.5 may be present in the formulation at about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%,about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, or about 10% byweight. In some embodiments, the formulation may further comprise about1-15% by weight an enteric polymer that dissolves at a pH of about 7.0.(e.g. EUDRAGIT FS 30 D + PlasACRYL T20 and/or EUDRAGIT® S 100). Forexample, the enteric polymer that dissolves at a pH of about 7.0 may bepresent in the formulation at about 1%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%,about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%,about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, or about 15% by weight. In suchembodiments, the antimethanogenic statin (which is, in some embodiments,lovastatin, and in further embodiments, lovastatin lactone) may bereleased in two doses. The first dose of antimethanogenic statin isencapsulated by the enteric polymer that dissolves at a pH of about 5.5;and the second dose of antimethanogenic statin is encapsulated by theenteric polymer that dissolves a at pH of about 7.0.

For example, the formulation may comprise at least one mini-tablet thatreleases at a first pH (e.g. pH of about 5.5) and at least onemini-tablet that releases at a second pH (e.g., pH of about 7.0) at aratio of 1:2. The formulation may comprise about 9% by weight theantimethanogenic statin (which is, in some embodiments, lovastatin, andin further embodiments, lovastatin lactone); about 42% by weightmicrocrystalline cellulose (e.g. Avicel PH102); about 4% by weightcopovidone (e.g. Kollidon VA64 Fine); about 1% by weight silicon dioxide(e.g. Aerosil 200); about 0.5% by weight magnesium stearate; about 4% byweight crospovidone (e.g. Kollidon CL or Kollidon CL-F); about 3% byweight an enteric polymer that dissolves at a pH of about 5.5 (e.g.EUDRAGIT L 30 D-55 + PlasACRYL HTP20); and about 6% by weight an entericpolymer that dissolves at a pH of about 7.0 (e.g. EUDRAGIT FS 30 D +PlasACRYL T20 and/or EUDRAGIT® S100).

In another example, the formulation may comprise at least onemini-tablet that releases at a first pH (e.g. pH of about 5.5) and atleast one mini-tablet that releases at a second pH (e.g., pH of about7.0) at a ratio of 1:2. The formulation may comprise about 8.5% byweight the antimethanogenic statin (which is, in some embodiments,lovastatin, and in further embodiments, lovastatin lactone); about 42.4%by weight microcrystalline cellulose (e.g. Avicel PH102); about 4.2% byweight copovidone (e.g. Kollidon VA64 Fine); about 1.2% by weightsilicon dioxide (e.g. Aerosil 200); about 0.6% by weight magnesiumstearate; about 3.6% by weight crospovidone (e.g. Kollidon CL orKollidon CL-F); about 3% by weight an enteric polymer that dissolves ata pH of about 5.5 (e.g. EUDRAGIT L 30 D-55 + PlasACRYL HTP20); and about6.1% by weight an enteric polymer that dissolves at a pH of about 7.0(e.g. EUDRAGIT FS 30 D + PlasACRYL T20 and/or EUDRAGIT® S100).

In another embodiment, the formulation of the present invention may atleast one mini-tablet that releases at a first pH (e.g. pH of about 5.5)and at least one mini-tablet that releases at a second pH (e.g., pH ofabout 7.0) at a ratio of 1:5. In such embodiments, the formulation maycomprise about 5-20% by weight the antimethanogenic statin (which is, insome embodiments, lovastatin, and in further embodiments, lovastatinlactone). For example, the antimethanogenic statin may be present atabout 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%,about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, about 15%, about 16%, about 17%, about18%, about 19%, or about 20% by weight of the entire formulation. Insome embodiments, the formulation may further comprise about 30-60% byweight tablet diluent (e.g., about 30%, about 31%, about 32%, about 33%,about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%,about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about53%, about 54%, about 55%, about 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%,or about 60%). In some embodiments, the formulation may further compriseabout 1-10% by weight tablet binder (e.g., about 1%, about 2%, about 3%,about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, or about10%). In some embodiments, the formulation may further comprise about0.1-3.0% by weight viscosity and dispersion agent (e.g., about 0.1%,about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%,about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 1.1%, about 1.2%, about 1.3%,about 1.4%, about 1.5%, about 1.6%, about 1.7%, about 1.8%, about 1.9%,about 2%, about 2.1%, about 2.2%, about 2.3%, about 2.4%, about 2.5%,about 2.6%, about 2.7%, about 2.8%, about 2.9%, or about 3.0%). In someembodiments, the formulation may further comprise about 0.1-3.0% byweight lubricant, for example, to facilitate tableting (e.g., about0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 1.1%, about 1.2%, about1.3%, about 1.4%, about 1.5%, about 1.6%, about 1.7%, about 1.8%, about1.9%, about 2%, about 2.1%, about 2.2%, about 2.3%, about 2.4%, about2.5%, about 2.6%, about 2.7%, about 2.8%, about 2.9%, or about 3.0%). Insome embodiments, the formulation may further comprise about 1-10% byweight tablet disintegrant (e.g., about 1%, about 2%, about 3%, about4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, or about 10%). Insome embodiments, the formulation may further comprise about 0.5-10% byweight an enteric polymer that dissolves at a pH of about 5.5 (e.g.EUDRAGIT L 30 D-55 + PlasACRYL HTP20. For example, the enteric polymerthat dissolves at a pH of about 5.5 may be present in the formulation atabout 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%,about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%,about 9%, or about 10% by weight. In some embodiments, the formulationmay further comprise about 1-15% by weight an enteric polymer thatdissolves at a pH of about 7.0 (e.g. EUDRAGIT FS 30 D + PlasACRYL T20and/or EUDRAGIT® S100. For example, the enteric polymer that dissolvesat a pH of about 7.0 may be present in the formulation at about 1%,about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%,about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, orabout 15% by weight. In such embodiments, the antimethanogenic statin(which is, in some embodiments, lovastatin, and in further embodiments,lovastatin lactone) may be released in two doses. The first dose ofantimethanogenic statin is encapsulated by the enteric polymer thatdissolves at a pH of about 5.5; and the second dose of antimethanogenicstatin is encapsulated by the enteric polymer that dissolves a at pH ofabout 7.0.

For example, the formulation may comprise at least one mini-tablet thatreleases at a first pH (e.g. pH of about 5.5) and at least onemini-tablets that release at a second pH (e.g., pH of about 7.0) at aratio of 1:5. The formulation may comprise about 10% by weight theantimethanogenic statin (which is, in some embodiments, lovastatin, andin further embodiments, lovastatin lactone); about 50% by weightmicrocrystalline cellulose (e.g. Avicel PH102); about 5% by weightcopovidone (e.g. Kollidon VA64 Fine); about 1% by weight silicon dioxide(e.g. Aerosil 200); about 0.5% by weight magnesium stearate; about 4% byweight crospovidone (e.g. Kollidon CL or Kollidon CL-F); about 2% byweight an enteric polymer that dissolves at a pH of about 5.5 (e.g.EUDRAGIT L 30 D-55 + PlasACRYL HTP20); and about 9% by weight an entericpolymer that dissolves at a pH of about 7.0. (e.g. EUDRAGIT FS 30 D +PlasACRYL T20 and/or EUDRAGIT® S100).

In another example, the formulation may comprise at least onemini-tablet that releases at a first pH (e.g. pH of about 5.5) and atleast one mini-tablet that releases at a second pH (e.g., pH of about7.0) at a ratio of 1:5. The formulation may comprise about 10% by weightthe antimethanogenic statin (which is, in some embodiments, lovastatin,and in further embodiments, lovastatin lactone); about 50% by weightmicrocrystalline cellulose (e.g. Avicel PH102); about 5% by weightcopovidone (e.g. Kollidon VA64 Fine); about 1.4% by weight silicondioxide (e.g. Aerosil 200); about 0.7% by weight magnesium stearate;about 4.3% by weight crospovidone (e.g. Kollidon CL or Kollidon CL-F);about 1.8% by weight an enteric polymer that dissolves at a pH of about5.5 (e.g. EUDRAGIT L 30 D-55 + PlasACRYL HTP20); and about 8.9% byweight an enteric polymer that dissolves at a pH of about 7.0. (e.g.EUDRAGIT FS 30 D + PlasACRYL T20 and/or EUDRAGIT® S100).

The therapeutic agents or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts whichare used in accordance with the present invention may exhibitstereoisomerism by virtue of the presence of one or more asymmetric orchiral centers in the compounds. The present invention contemplates thevarious stereoisomers and mixtures thereof. Desired enantiomers can beobtained by chiral synthesis from commercially available chiral startingmaterials by methods well known in the art, or may be obtained frommixtures of the enantiomers by resolution using known techniques.

Solvate as used herein refers to a pharmaceutically acceptable solvateform of a specified therapeutic agent that retains the biologicaleffectiveness of such agent. Examples of solvates include therapeuticagents of the invention in combination with, for example, water,isopropanol, ethanol, methanol, DMSO, ethyl acetate, acetic acid, orethanolamine.

Prodrug, as used herein refers to a therapeutic agent that is convertedunder physiological conditions or by solvolysis or metabolically (e.g.,in vivo) to a specified agent that is pharmaceutically active.

Active metabolite, as used herein refers to a pharmacologically activeproduct produced through metabolism in the body of a specifiedtherapeutic agent.

Co-crystal as used herein refers to a physical association of two ormore molecules which owe their stability through non-covalentinteraction. One or more components of this molecular complex provide astable framework in the crystalline lattice. In certain instances, theguest molecules are incorporated in the crystalline lattice asanhydrates or solvates.

Administration and Dosage

It will be appreciated that the actual dose of the antimethanogenicstatin to be administered according to the present invention will varyaccording to the particular compound, the particular dosage form, andthe mode of administration. Many factors that may modify the action ofthe antimethanogenic statin (e.g., body weight, gender, diet, time ofadministration, route of administration, rate of excretion, condition ofthe subject, drug combinations, genetic disposition and reactionsensitivities) can be taken into account by those skilled in the art.Administration can be carried out continuously or in one or morediscrete doses within the maximum tolerated dose. Optimal administrationrates for a given set of conditions can be ascertained by those skilledin the art using conventional dosage administration tests.

Individual doses of the antimethanogenic statin can be administered inunit dosage forms (e.g., tablets or capsules) containing, for example,from about 0.01 mg to about 100 mg, from about 0.1 mg to about 100 mg,from about 0.1 mg to about 90 mg, from about 0.1 mg to about 80 mg, fromabout 0.1 mg to about 70 mg, from about 0.1 mg to about 60 mg, fromabout 0.1 mg to about 50 mg, from about 0.1 mg to about 40 mg activeingredient, from about 0.1 mg to about 30 mg, from about 0.1 mg to about20 mg, from about 0.1 mg to about 10 mg, from about 0.1 mg to about 5mg, from about 0.1 mg to about 3 mg, from about 0.1 mg to about 1 mg perunit dosage form, or from about 5 mg to about 80 mg per unit dosageform. For example, a unit dosage form can be about 0.01 mg, about 0.02mg, about 0.03 mg, about 0.04 mg, about 0.05 mg, about 0.06 mg, about0.07 mg, about 0.08 mg, about 0.09 mg, about 0.1 mg, about 0.2 mg, about0.3 mg, about 0.4 mg, about 0.5 mg, about 0.6 mg, about 0.7 mg, about0.8 mg, about 0.9 mg, about 1 mg, about 2 mg, about 3 mg, about 4 mg,about 5 mg, about 6 mg, about 7 mg, about 8 mg, about 9 mg, about 10 mg,about 11 mg, about 12 mg, about 13 mg, about 14 mg, about 15 mg, about16 mg, about 17 mg, about 18 mg, about 19 mg, about 20 mg, about 21 mg,about 22 mg, about 23 mg, about 24 mg, about 25 mg, about 26 mg, about27 mg, about 28 mg, about 29 mg, about 30 mg, about 31 mg, about 32 mg,about 33 mg, about 34 mg, about 35 mg, about 36 mg, about 37 mg, about38 mg, about 39 mg, about 40 mg, about 41 mg, about 42 mg, about 43 mg,about 44 mg, about 45 mg, about 46 mg, about 47 mg, about 48 mg, about49 mg, about 50 mg, about 51 mg, about 52 mg, about 53 mg, about 54 mg,about 55 mg, about 56 mg, about 57 mg, about 58 mg, about 59 mg, about60 mg, about 61 mg, about 62 mg, about 63 mg, about 64 mg, about 65 mg,about 66 mg, about 67 mg, about 68 mg, about 69 mg, about 70 mg, about71 mg, about 72 mg, about 73 mg, about 74 mg, about 75 mg, about 76 mg,about 77 mg, about 78 mg, about 79 mg, about 80 mg, about 81 mg, about82 mg, about 83 mg, about 84 mg, about 85 mg, about 86 mg, about 87 mg,about 88 mg, about 89 mg, about 90 mg, about 91 mg, about 92 mg, about93 mg, about 94 mg, about 95 mg, about 96 mg, about 97 mg, about 98 mg,about 99 mg, or about 100 mg, inclusive of all values and rangestherebetween. In an embodiment, individual dose of the antimethanogenicstatin is administered in an unit dosage form containing 21 mg of theactive ingredient. In another embodiment, individual dose of theantimethanogenic statin is administered in an unit dosage formcontaining 42 mg of the active ingredient.

In one embodiment, the antimethanogenic statin is administered at anamount of from about 0.01 mg to about 100 mg daily, an amount of fromabout 0.1 mg to about 100 mg daily, from about 0.1 mg to about 95 mgdaily, from about 0.1 mg to about 90 mg daily, from about 0.1 mg toabout 85 mg daily, from about 0.1 mg to about 80 mg daily, from about0.1 mg to about 75 mg daily, from about 0.1 mg to about 70 mg daily,from about 0.1 mg to about 65 mg daily, from about 0.1 mg to about 60 mgdaily, from about 0.1 mg to about 55 mg daily, from about 0.1 mg toabout 50 mg daily, from about 0.1 mg to about 45 mg daily, from about0.1 mg to about 40 mg daily, from about 0.1 mg to about 35 mg daily,from about 0.1 mg to about 30 mg daily, from about 0.1 mg to about 25 mgdaily, from about 0.1 mg to about 20 mg daily, from about 0.1 mg toabout 15 mg daily, from about 0.1 mg to about 10 mg daily, from about0.1 mg to about 5 mg daily, from about 0.1 mg to about 3 mg daily, fromabout 0.1 mg to about 1 mg daily, or from about 5 mg to about 80 mgdaily. In various embodiments, the antimethanogenic statin isadministered at a daily dose of about 0.01 mg, about 0.02 mg, about 0.03mg, about 0.04 mg, about 0.05 mg, about 0.06 mg, about 0.07 mg, about0.08 mg, about 0.09 mg, about 0.1 mg, about 0.2 mg, about 0.3 mg, about0.4 mg, about 0.5 mg, about 0.6 mg, about 0.7 mg, about 0.8 mg, about0.9 mg, about 1 mg, about 2 mg, about 3 mg, about 4 mg, about 5 mg,about 6 mg, about 7 mg, about 8 mg, about 9 mg, about 10 mg, about 11mg, about 12 mg, about 13 mg, about 14 mg, about 15 mg, about 16 mg,about 17 mg, about 18 mg, about 19 mg, about 20 mg, about 21 mg, about22 mg, about 23 mg, about 24 mg, about 25 mg, about 26 mg, about 27 mg,about 28 mg, about 29 mg, about 30 mg, about 31 mg, about 32 mg, about33 mg, about 34 mg, about 35 mg, about 36 mg, about 37 mg, about 38 mg,about 39 mg, about 40 mg, about 41 mg, about 42 mg, about 43 mg, about44 mg, about 45 mg, about 46 mg, about 47 mg, about 48 mg, about 49 mg,about 50 mg, about 51 mg, about 52 mg, about 53 mg, about 54 mg, about55 mg, about 56 mg, about 57 mg, about 58 mg, about 59 mg, about 60 mg,about 61 mg, about 62 mg, about 63 mg, about 64 mg, about 65 mg, about66 mg, about 67 mg, about 68 mg, about 69 mg, about 70 mg, about 71 mg,about 72 mg, about 73 mg, about 74 mg, about 75 mg, about 76 mg, about77 mg, about 78 mg, about 79 mg, about 80 mg, about 81 mg, about 82 mg,about 83 mg, about 84 mg, about 85 mg, about 86 mg, about 87 mg, about88 mg, about 89 mg, about 90 mg, about 91 mg, about 92 mg, about 93 mg,about 94 mg, about 95 mg, about 96 mg, about 97 mg, about 98 mg, about99 mg, or about 100 mg, inclusive of all values and ranges therebetween.In an embodiment, the antimethanogenic statin is administered at anamount of 21 mg daily. In another embodiment, the antimethanogenicstatin is administered at an amount of 42 mg daily.

In some embodiments, a suitable dosage of the antimethanogenic statin(e.g., a statin) is in a range of about 0.01 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg ofbody weight of the subject, for example, about 0.01 mg/kg, about 0.02mg/kg, about 0.03 mg/kg, about 0.04 mg/kg, about 0.05 mg/kg, about 0.06mg/kg, about 0.07 mg/kg, about 0.08 mg/kg, about 0.09 mg/kg, about 0.1mg/kg, about 0.2 mg/kg, about 0.3 mg/kg, about 0.4 mg/kg, about 0.5mg/kg, about 0.6 mg/kg, about 0.7 mg/kg, about 0.8 mg/kg, about 0.9mg/kg, about 1 mg/kg, about 1.1 mg/kg, about 1.2 mg/kg, about 1.3 mg/kg,about 1.4 mg/kg, about 1.5 mg/kg, about 1.6 mg/kg, about 1.7 mg/kg,about 1.8 mg/kg, 1.9 mg/kg, about 2 mg/kg, about 3 mg/kg, about 4 mg/kg,about 5 mg/kg, about 6 mg/kg, about 7 mg/kg, about 8 mg/kg, about 9mg/kg, about 10 mg/kg body weight, inclusive of all values and rangestherebetween. In other embodiments, a suitable dosage of theantimethanogenic statin is in a range of about 0.01 mg/kg to about 10mg/kg of body weight, in a range of about 0.01 mg/kg to about 9 mg/kg ofbody weight, in a range of about 0.01 mg/kg to about 8 mg/kg of bodyweight, in a range of about 0.01 mg/kg to about 7 mg/kg of body weight,in a range of 0.01 mg/kg to about 6 mg/kg of body weight, in a range ofabout 0.05 mg/kg to about 5 mg/kg of body weight, in a range of about0.05 mg/kg to about 4 mg/kg of body weight, in a range of about 0.05mg/kg to about 3 mg/kg of body weight, in a range of about 0.05 mg/kg toabout 2 mg/kg of body weight, in a range of about 0.05 mg/kg to about1.5 mg/kg of body weight, or in a range of about 0.05 mg/kg to about 1mg/kg of body weight.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, theantimethanogenic statin may be administered, for example, more than oncedaily, about once per day, about every other day, about every third day,about once a week, about once every two weeks, about once every month,about once every two months, about once every three months, about onceevery six months, or about once every year.

In various embodiments, the antimethanogenic statin may be administeredin a patient that is fasting. In various embodiments, theantimethanogenic statin may be administered in a patient with a meal. Invarious embodiments, the antimethanogenic statin may be administered ina patient that is postprandial. In various embodiments, patient is on anelemental diet. A comestible total enteral nutrition (TEN) formulation,which is also called an “elemental diet” are commercially available, forexample, VIVONEX T.E.N. (Nestle) and its variants, or the like. A usefultotal enteral nutrition formulation satisfies all the subject’snutritional requirements, containing free amino acids, carbohydrates,lipids, and all essential vitamins and minerals, but is in a form thatis readily absorbable in the upper gastrointestinal tract, thusdepriving or “starving” the methanogen syntrophic microorganism ofnutrients of at least some of the nutrients they use for proliferating.Thus, methanogen syntrophic microorganism growth is inhibited.

Additional Agents and Combination Therapy or Co-Formulation / PatientSelection

Administration of the present formulations may be combined withadditional therapeutic agents. Co-administration of the additionaltherapeutic agent and the present formulations may be simultaneous orsequential. Further the present formulations may comprise an additionaltherapeutic agent (e.g. via co-formulation).

In some embodiments, the modified-release formulations of the presentinvention are administered in combination with an additional therapeuticagent. In an embodiment, the additional therapeutic agent and theantimethanogenic statin are combined into a single modified-releaseformulation. In some embodiments, the methods of treatment and/orprevention comprise administering the modified-release formulations ofthe present invention to a subject that is undergoing treatment with anadditional therapeutic agent.

In one embodiment, the additional agent and the antimethanogenic statinare administered to a subject simultaneously. The term “simultaneously”as used herein, means that the additional agent and the antimethanogenicstatin are administered with a time separation of no more than about 60minutes, such as no more than about 30 minutes, no more than about 20minutes, no more than about 10 minutes, no more than about 5 minutes, orno more than about 1 minute. Administration of the additional agent andthe antimethanogenic statin can be by simultaneous administration of asingle formulation (e.g., a formulation comprising the additional agentand the antimethanogenic statin) or of separate formulations (e.g., afirst formulation including the additional agent and a secondformulation including the antimethanogenic statin).

Co-administration does not require the additional therapeutic agents tobe administered simultaneously, if the timing of their administration issuch that the pharmacological activities of the additional agent and theantimethanogenic statin overlap in time, thereby exerting a combinedtherapeutic effect. For example, the additional agent and theantimethanogenic statin can be administered sequentially. The term“sequentially” as used herein means that the additional agent and theantimethanogenic statin are administered with a time separation of morethan about 60 minutes. For example, the time between the sequentialadministration of the additional agent and the antimethanogenic statincan be more than about 60 minutes, more than about 2 hours, more thanabout 5 hours, more than about 10 hours, more than about 1 day, morethan about 2 days, more than about 3 days, or more than about 1 weekapart. The optimal administration times will depend on the rates ofmetabolism, excretion, and/or the pharmacodynamic activity of theadditional agent and the antimethanogenic statin being administered.Either the additional agent or the antimethanogenic statin may beadministered first.

In a further embodiment, the additional therapeutic agent and theantimethanogenic statin are administered to a subject simultaneously butthe release of additional therapeutic agent and the antimethanogenicstatin from their respective dosage forms (or single unit dosage form ifco-formulated) in the GI tract occurs sequentially.

Co-administration also does not require the additional therapeuticagents to be administered to the subject by the same route ofadministration. Rather, each therapeutic agent can be administered byany appropriate route, for example, parenterally or non-parenterally.

The formulations of the present invention may comprise apharmaceutically acceptable excipient. In some embodiments, theformulation may further include agent which prevents or reduces lactonering-opening, such as an esterase inhibitor (e.g. grapefruit juice orcomponents naringenin, kaempferol) and/or a paraoxonase inhibitor (e.g.PON1 or PON3 inhibitor). In some embodiments, the esterase inhibitorand/or a paraoxonase inhibitor is one or more of amiodarone,anastrozole, azithromyzcin, cannabinoids, cimetidine, clarithromycin,clotrimazolem, cyclosporine, danazol, delavirdine, dexamethasone,diethyldithiocarbamate, diltiazem, dirithyromycin, disulfiram,entacapone, erythromycin, ethinyl estradiol, fluconazole, fluoxetine,fluvoaxamine, gestodene, grapefruit juice, indinavir, isoniazid,ketoconazole, metronidazole, mibefradil, miconazole, nefazodone,nelfinavir, nevirapine, norfloxacin, norfluoxetine, omeprazole,oxiconazole, paroxetine, propoxyphene, quinidine, quinine, quinupristineand dalfopristin, ranitidine, ritonavir, saquinavir, sertindole,sertraline, troglitazone, troleandomycin, valproic acid and/or a lactamagent selected from oxindole, isatin, δ-valerolactam, ε-caprolactam,2-hydroxyquinoline, and 3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinoline andN-bromo-ε-caprolactam.

In various embodiments, the modified-release formulation of the presentinvention is administered in combination with an inhibitor of theorganic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) transporter. In anembodiment, the OATP inhibitor and the antimethanogenic statin arecombined into a single modified-release formulation. Without wishing tobe bound by theory, it is believed that inclusion of the OATP inhibitorminimizes absorption of the antimethanogenic statin from the intestineand/or reduces the enterohepatic recirculation of the antimethanogenicstatin, thereby maximizing retention of the antimethanogenic statin inthe intestine and minimizing any potential systemic side effects of theantimethanogenic statin. Illustrative OATP inhibitors include, but arenot limited to, grapefruit juice or grapefruit juice constituents suchas naringin and hesperidin, orange juice and orange juice constituents,apple juice and apple juice constituents, and green tea and green teaextracts such as epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG). In an embodiment, the OATP inhibitor is released in theintestine prior to release of the antimethanogenic statin.

In one embodiment, the additional therapeutic agent is a prokineticagent that facilitates movement of a mass through the intestinal tract.Illustrative prokinetic agents include, but are not limited to,prucalopride (e.g. RESOLOR) or a macrolide antibiotic such aserythromycin. In another embodiment, the additional therapeutic agent isa natural product such as peppermint oil, which alleviates abdominalpain.

The present invention also contemplates the use of additionaltherapeutic agent that are useful for treating constipation such as, forexample, laxatives, guanylate cyclase C agonist (e.g., linaclotide), aserotonin agonist (e.g., prucalorpride, tegaserod), a chloride channelagonist (e.g., lubiprostone), and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is an agent usefulfor treating IBS (including IBS-C). In some embodiments, the additionaltherapeutic agent is a selective chloride channel activator, including,for example, molecules derived from prostaglandins such as lubiprostone(e.g. AMITIZA) and those compounds described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,284,858, 6,414,016 and 6,583,174, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties. In some embodiments, theadditional therapeutic agent is an agent, including a peptide agent,that increases the secretion of chloride and/or water in the intestinesand/or soften stools and/or stimulate bowel movements, such as, forexample, linaclotide (e.g. LINZESS) and those compounds described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,304,036, the contents of which are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety. In some embodiments, the additionaltherapeutic agent is an agent that relaxes the colon and/or slows themovement of waste through the lower bowel. In some embodiments theadditional therapeutic agent is a 5-HT₃ antagonist, including, but notlimited to, alosetron (e.g. LOTRONEX).

In some embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is a smallmolecule that acts as a peripherally selective κ-opioid agonist, suchas, for example, EMD-61753((N-methyl-N-[(1S)-1-phenyl-2-((3S)-3-hydroxypyrrolidin-1-yl)-ethyl]-2,2-diphenyl-acetamidehydrochloride, ASMADOLINE) and those compounds described in U.S. Pat.No. US 6,344,566, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety. In some embodiments, the additionaltherapeutic agent is a cholecystokinin antagonist, e.g. one selectivefor the CCK_(A) subtype and/or inhibits gastrointestinal motility andreduces gastric secretions, such as, for example, Dexloxiglumide((4R)-4-[(3,4-dichlorobenzoyl)amino]-5-(3-methoxypropylpentylamino)-5-oxopentanoicacid) and those compounds described in U.S. Pat. No. US 5,602,179, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety. In some embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent istapentadol (1R,2R)-3-(3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)-phenol),as described in U.S. Pat. Publication No. 2013/0116334, the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety

In some embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is a laxative,including but not limited to osmotic laxatives (such as, for example,magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide (e.g. Milk of Magnesia),magnesium oxide, magnesium peroxide, magnesium sulfate, lactulose,lactitol, sodium sulfate, pentaerythritol, macrogol, mannitol, sodiumphosphate, sorbitol, magnesium citrate, sodium tartrate, laminarid, andpolyethylene glycol (e.g., macrogol-containing products, such as MOVICOLand polyethylene glycol 3350, or SOFTLAX, MIRALAX, DULCOLAX BALANCE,CLEARLAX, OSMOLAX OR GLYCOLAX, GOLYTELY, GAVILYTE C, NULYTELY, GLYCOLAX,FORTRANS, TRILYTE, COLYTE, HALFLYTELY, SOFTLAX, LAX-A-DAY, CLEARLAX ANDMOVIPREP). In some embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is alaxative, including but not limited to stimulant laxatives (such as, forexample, SENOKOT). Also provided are contact laxatives (e.g.oxyphenisatine, bisacodyl, dantron, phenolphthalein, castor oil, sennaglycosides, cascara, sodium picosulfate, and bisoxatin) and bulk-forminglaxatives (e.g. ispaghula, ethulose, sterculia, linseed,methylcellulose, triticum, and polycarbophil calcium). In someembodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is an enema, such as, forexample, sodium laurilsulfate, sodium phosphate, bisacodyl, dantron,glycerol, oil, and sorbitol. Peripheral opioid antagonists such as, forexample, alvimopan and methylnaltrexone, as well as prostaglandins suchas, for example, lubiprostone are also additional therapeutic agents insome embodiments. Also, linaclotide, prucalopride, and tegaserod may beadditional therapeutics.

In some embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is an agent usedfor long-term pain and cramping, including but not limited toanticholinergics (antispasmodics), such as, for example, dicyclomine(BENTYL) and or antidepressants, including, for example, desipramine(such as, for example, NORPRAMIN), imipramine (TOFRANIL) ornortriptyline (PAMELOR), which are optionally administered at low doses.In low doses, they can help with pain caused by IBS.

In some embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is fibersupplement, such as, for example, psyllium (METAMUCIL) ormethylcellulose (CITRUCEL).

In some embodiments, the additional therapeutic agent is an agent usefulfor treating obesity. Illustrative agents include, but are not limitedto, orlistat, loracaserin, phentermine-topiramate, sibutramine,rimonabant, exenatide, pramlintide, phentermine, benzphetamine,diethylpropion, phendimetrazine, bupropion, and metformin. In variousembodiments, the additional agent is an agent that that interfere withthe body’s ability to absorb specific nutrients in food, such asorlistat, glucomannan, and guar gum. Agents that suppress appetite arealso among the additional agents, e.g. catecholamines and theirderivatives (such as phentermine and other amphetamine-based drugs),various anti-depressants and mood stabilizers (e.g. bupropion andtopiramate), anorectics (e.g. dexedrine, digoxin). Agents that increasethe body’s metabolism are also among the additional agents. In someembodiments, additional agents may be selected from among appetitesuppressants, neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitors, dopaminergicagonists, serotonergic agonists, modulators of GABAergic signaling,anticonvulsants, antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors,substance P (NK1) receptor antagonists, melanocortin receptor agonistsand antagonists, lipase inhibitors, inhibitors of fat absorption,regulators of energy intake or metabolism, cannabinoid receptormodulators, agents for treating addiction, agents for treating metabolicsyndrome, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) modulators;and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) antagonists. In some embodiments,additional agents may be selected from among amphetamines,benzodiazepines, sulfonyl ureas, meglitinides, thiazolidinediones,biguanides, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, nitrates, calciumchannel blockers, phenlermine, sibutramine, lorcaserin, cetilistat,rimonabant, taranabant, topiramate, gabapentin, valproate, vigabatrin,bupropion, tiagabine, sertraline, fluoxetine, trazodone, zonisamide,methylphenidate, varenicline, naltrexone, diethylpropion,phendimetrazine, repaglinide, nateglinide, glimepiride, pioglitazone,rosiglilazone, and sitagliptin.

In an embodiment, the additional therapeutic agent is an agent fortreating prediabetes, diabetes, type II diabetes, insulin resistance,glucose intolerance, or hyperglycemia. Examples of drugs include, butare not limited to, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, amylin analogs,dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, GLP1 agonists, meglitinides,sulfonylureas, biguanides, thiazolidinediones (TZD), and insulin.Additional examples of such agents include bromocriptine and Welchol.Examples of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors include but are not limited toacarbose and miglitol. An example of an amylin analog is pramlintide.Examples of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors include but are notlimited to saxagliptin, sitagliptin, vildagliptin, linagliptin, andalogliptin. Examples of GLP1 agonist include but are not limited toliraglutide, exenatide, exenatide extended release. Examples ofmeglitinides include but are not limited to nateglinide, andrepaglinide. Examples of sulfonylureas include but are not limited tochlorpropamide, glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide, tolazamide, andtolbutamide. Examples of biguanides include but are not limited tometformin, Riomet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza. Examples ofthiazolidinedione include but are not limited to rosiglitazone andpioglitazone. Examples of insulin include but are not limited to Aspart,Detemir, Glargine, Glulisine, and Lispro. Examples of combination drugsinclude but are not limited to glipizide/metformin, glyburide/metformin,pioglitazone/glimepiride, pioglitazone/metformin, repaglinide/metformin,rosiglitazone/glimepiride, rosiglitazone/metformin,saxagliptin/metformin, sitagliptin/simvastatin, sitagliptin/metformin,linagliptin/metformin, alogliptin/metformin, andalogliptin/pioglitazone.

In another embodiment, the additional therapeutic agent is a probiotic.In some embodiments, enteric dietary formulations containing lowresidual material, such as pre-digested or basic amino acid formulationsand other methods and products as described in U.S. Pat. 8,110,177 (thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference) may be employed.In a further embodiment, such low residual enteric dietary formulationsmay be formulated in low carbohydrate and low fat forms either with orwithout immediate or sustained release statins or red yeast rice whichmay be particularly useful for weight loss and diabetes. In variousembodiments, the probiotic may comprise the following illustrativecells: E. coli Nissle 1917, a lactobacillus (e.g. acidophilus,Lactobacillus brevis, L. bulgaricus, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus,Rhamnosus L. fermentum, L. caucasicus, L. helveticus, L. lactis, L.reuteri and L. casei) or a bifidobacteria (Bifidobacterium bifidum, B.infantis) Streptococcus thermophiles, and Enterococcus faecium. Othersuitable probiotics and prebiotics are disclosed for example in R.Spiller, Aliment Pharmacol Ther 28, 385-396, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

In some embodiments, a probiotic agent that optionally inhibits thegrowth of methanogens, for example, Bifidobacterium spp. orLactobacillus species or strains, e.g., L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, L.plantarum, L. reuteri, L. paracasei subsp. paracasei, or L. caseiShirota, or probiotic Saccharomyces species, e.g., S. cerevisiae, isselected and/or administered. The probiotic agent that inhibitsmethanogenesis may be administered in a pharmaceutically acceptableingestible formulation, such as in a capsule, or for some subjects,consuming a food supplemented with the inoculum is effective, forexample a milk, yogurt, cheese, meat or other fermentable foodpreparation. Probiotic agents can inhibit the growth of methanogens, forexample, by competing against methanogens for growth and thus reduce orinhibit the growth of methanogens.

Methods of Treatment

In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of treating orpreventing a methanogen-associated disorder by administering amodified-release formulation comprising at least one anti-methanogenicagent, such as an antimethanogenic statin as described herein to theintestine (i.e., small and/or large intestine) in a subject in needthereof.

In some embodiments, the methanogen-associated disorder is a disease ordisorder or condition caused by, resulted from, or related to one ormore of the abnormal presence or absence of methanogens, abnormal levelsof methanogens, overgrowth of methanogens, elevated levels ofmethanogenesis, elevated enteric methane levels, excessive hydrogenscavenging by hydrogen-consuming methanogens or colonization ofmethanogens in an abnormal location (e.g., in the small bowel ratherthan large bowel), either alone or in combination with non-methanogensyntrophic organisms.

Illustrative methanogen-associated disorders include, but are notlimited to, enteric methanogen colonization, IBS, IBS-C, IBS-M,constipation, diabetes, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, insulinresistance, metabolic syndrome, obesity, constipation, chronicconstipation, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, systemic sclerosis,systemic lupus, erythematosus, dermatomysitis/polymyositis, periartiytisnodosa, mixed connective tissue disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, spinalcord injury, Parkinson’s disease, hypothyroidism/hypoparathyroidism,Hirschsprung’s disease, Chagas' disease, intestinal hypoganglionosis,and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of reducing oreliminating the production and/or accumulation of methane in the GItract by administering a modified-release formulation comprising atleast one anti-methanogenic agent, such as an antimethanogenic statin asdescribed herein to the intestine (e.g. the small and/or largeintestine) of a subject in need thereof. In another aspect, the presentinvention provides methods of reducing or eliminating methane, forexample as produced by a methanogen in the GI tract by administering amodified-release formulation comprising at least one anti-methanogenicagent, such as an antimethanogenic statin as described herein to theintestine (i.e., small and/or large intestine) of a subject in needthereof.

In various embodiments, the methanogen is a microorganism that producesmethane as a metabolic byproduct. Methanogens are classified as archaea.Examples of methanogens include but are not limited to Methanobacteriumbryantii, Methanobacterium formicum, Methanobrevibacter arboriphilicus,Methanobrevibacter gottschalkii, Methanobrevibacter ruminantium,Methanobrevibacter smithii, Methanocalculus chunghsingensis,Methanococcoides burtonii, Methanococcus aeolicus, Methanococcus deltae,Methanococcus jannaschii, Methanococcus maripaludis, Methanococcusvannielii, Methanocorpusculum labreanum, Methanoculleus bourgensis (Methanogenium olentangyi, Methanogenium bourgense), Methanoculleusmarisnigri, Methanofollis liminatans, Methanogenium cariaci,Methanogenium frigidum, Methanogenium organophilum, Methanogeniumwolfei, Methanomicrobium mobile, Methanopyrus kandleri, Methanoregulaboonei, Methanosaeta concilii, Methanosaeta thermophile, Methanosarcinaacetivorans, Methanosarcina barkeri, Methanosarcina mazei,Methanosphaera stadtmanae, Methanospirillium hungatei,Methanothermobacter defluvii ( Methanobacterium defluvii),Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus ( Methanobacteriumthermoautotrophicum), Methanothermobacter thermoflexus (Methanobacterium thermoflexum), Methanothermobacter wolfei (Methanobacterium wolfei), and Methanothrix sochngenii.

In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of reducing oreliminating methane produced by Methanobrevibacter smithii in the GItract. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods ofreducing or eliminating methane produced by Methanobrevibacter smithii,in the GI tract by administering a modified-release formulationcomprising at least one anti-methanogenic agent, such as anantimethanogenic statin as described herein to the intestine (i.e.,small and/or large intestine) in a subject in need thereof. In someembodiments, administration of the modified-release formulationcomprising at least one anti-methanogenic agent reduces or eliminatesmethane produced by Methanobrevibacter smithii in the small intestines(e.g., one or more of duodenum, jejunum, ileum). In an embodiment,administration of the modified-release formulation comprising at leastone anti-methanogenic agent reduces or eliminates methane produced byMethanobrevibacter smithii in the ileum. In some embodiments,administration of the modified-release formulation comprising at leastone anti-methanogenic agent reduces or eliminates methane produced byMethanobrevibacter smithii in the large intestine (e.g., one or more ofcecum, ascending, transverse, descending or sigmoid portions of thecolon, and rectum).

In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of reducing oreliminating the methane derived from Methanobrevibacter smithii in theGI tract. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods ofreducing or eliminating methane, for example as produced byMethanobrevibacter smithii, in the GI tract by administering amodified-release formulation comprising at least one anti-methanogenicagent, such as an antimethanogenic statin as described herein to theintestine (i.e., small and/or large intestine) in a subject in needthereof.

In various embodiments, the present invention relates to the substantialreduction of methane gas in a subjects GI tract (e.g. eradication ofintestinal methane). In some embodiments the present formulations andmethods prevent the increase in levels of methane gas in a subject’s GItract. In some embodiments, the patient’s GI methane levels (as assessedby methods described herein and methods known in the art) are reduced toabout 1 ppm, or about 2 ppm, or about 3 ppm, or about 4 ppm, or about 5ppm, or about 10 ppm, or about 15 ppm, or about 20 ppm, or about 25 ppm,or about 30 ppm, or about 35 ppm, or about 40 ppm, or about 45 ppm, orabout 50 ppm, or about 55 ppm, or about 60 ppm, or about 65 ppm, orabout 70 ppm, or about 75 ppm, or about 80 ppm, or about 85 ppm, orabout 90 ppm, or about 100 ppm. In various embodiments, the presentformulations and methods reduce the patient’s GI methane levels to lessthan about 250 ppm, or less than about 225 ppm, or less than about 200ppm, or less than about 175 ppm, or less than about 150 ppm, or lessthan about 125 ppm, or less than about 100 ppm, or less than about 50ppm. In various embodiments, substantial reduction of methane gas is notaccompanied by a substantial reduction in hydrogen gas.

In various embodiments, the present invention relates to the treatmentof IBS, including IBS-C as described by ICD-10 (InternationalStatistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, WHOedition). In various embodiments, the present invention relates to thetreatment of irritable colon, as classified in ICD-10 as [K58]. IBS mayinclude irritable bowel syndrome without diarrhea, as classified inICD-10 as [K58.9]. Irritable bowel syndrome without diarrhea may alsoinclude irritable bowel syndrome not otherwise specified (NOS). Further,the diseases as classified in ICD-10 as K59 are also included (e.g.constipation; K59.1 Functional diarrhea; K59.2 Neurogenic bowel, notelsewhere classified; K59.3 Megacolon, not elsewhere classified(including dialatation of colon, toxic megacolon, megacolon in Chagasdisease (B57.3), congenital (aganglionic) (Q43.1), and Hirschsprungdisease (Q43.1)); K59.4 Anal spasm (including Proctalgia fugax); K59.8Other specified functional intestinal disorders (including atony ofcolon) and K59.9 Functional intestinal disorder, unspecified).

In various embodiments, the present invention relates to the treatmentof spastic colon, nervous colitis, mucous colitis, functional colitis orcolonic neurosis. In various embodiments, the present invention relatesto the treatment of diseases that have been described as sigma elongatummobile, cecum mobile, chronic colitis, splanchnoptosia and the like.Typological classification of the disease generally include convulsivelarge bowel, diarrhea nervosa and colica mucosa, and the disease mayalso be classified in convulsive constipation type, atonic constipationtype, intestinal gas syndrome, or chronic celiopathy.

Furthermore, IBS may also include cholangiodyskinesia, gastric emptyinghypofunction, hysteric globus, non-specific esophagus functionalabnormalities, nervous vomiting, recurrent abdominal pain, simpleconstipation, chronic idiopathic constipation and the like. Asdiagnostic criteria of IBS those of NIH, Manning, Cook et al. and thelike are suitable (see Asakura, Clinical Digestive Internal Medicine, 8(8): 1373-1381 (1993), the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety).

In various embodiments, the present invention relates to the treatmentof IBS, including IBS-C of varying stages or severity. In oneembodiment, stages or severity of the IBS may be evaluated with ahealth-related quality of life (HRQoL) evaluation. In some embodiments,the stage or severity of the disease in the patient to be treated isassessed by an evaluation of one or more of patient pain, distension,bowel dysfunction and quality of life/global well-being.

In some embodiments, the stage or severity of the disease in the patientto be treated is assessed by the Rome Scale (for the last 3 months withsymptom onset at least 6 months prior to diagnosis: recurrent abdominalpain or discomfort (e.g. uncomfortable sensation not described as pain.)at least 3 days/month in the last 3 months associated with two or moreof improvement with defecation, onset associated with a change infrequency of stool, and onset associated with a change in the form(appearance) of stool. In various embodiments, the present compositionsand methods provide patient improve as assessed by the Rome Scale.

In some embodiments, the stage or severity of the disease in the patientto be treated is assessed by abdominal pain intensity score of 0-10. Invarious embodiments, values ≥ 3 are considered to be suffering from painrequiring treatment. In various embodiments, the patient has anabdominal pain intensity score of great than about 9, or about 8, orabout 7, or about 6, or about 5, or about 4, or about 3. In variousembodiments, the present compositions and methods reduce the abdominalpain intensity score by about 1, or about 2, or about 3, or about 4, orabout 5, or about 6, or about 7, or about 8, or about 9, or about 10.

In some embodiments, the stage or severity of the disease in the patientto be treated is assessed by the Kruis scale (Gastroenterology 87: 1-7,the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference). This scaleincorporates both the “cardinal” symptoms (pain, bloating, altered bowelfunction) and “red flag” signs of potential underlying organic diseasethat would thus exclude an IBS diagnosis. IBS is diagnosed if the sum ofscores >44.

Table 1 Kruis Scoring Systern IBS is diagnosed if the sum of scores >44Parameter Score Signs Pain, flatulence, or bowel irregularity 34Duration of symptoms >2 yr 16 Description of abdominal pain (Scale fromburning to “not so bad”) 23 Alternating diarrhea and constipation 14 RedFlags Abnormal physical findings or history pathognomonic of otherdisease -47 ESR >10 mm/h -13 WBC > x10⁹ -50 Anemia -98 History of bloodin stool -98

In some embodiments, the patient is evaluated with the assessmentdescribed in Francis, et al Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1997; 11: 395-402,the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety. For instance, a scoring system based on patient ranking ofpain, distension, bowel dysfunction and quality of life/globalwell-being on a scale of up to 500 is used. Mild, moderate and severecases were indicated by scores of 75 to 175, 175 to 300 and >300. Insome embodiments, the patient of the present invention has a score of 75to 175. In some embodiments, the patient of the present invention has ascore of 175 to 300. In some embodiments, the patient of the presentinvention has a score of >300. In some embodiments the scales describedin Wong and Drossman (Expert Rev. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 4(3), (2010),the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety). For example, in some embodiments, the patients of the presentinvention are evaluated for the parameters of dysphoria, activityinterference, body image, health worry, food avoidance, social reaction,and sexual relationships and optionally scored on a 0-100 as describedon the Patrick scale; and/or the patients of the present invention areevaluated for the parameters of daily activities, emotional impact,family relations, food, sleep and fatigue, social impact, sexualrelations symptoms and optionally scored on a 0-216 as described on theGroll scale; the patients of the present invention are evaluated for theparameters of activities, anxiety, diet, sleep, discomfort, healthperception, disease coping and stress and optionally scored on a 0-100as described on the Chassany scale; the patients of the presentinvention are evaluated for the parameters of emotional health, mentalhealth, sleep, energy, physical functioning, diet, social role, physicalrole, and sexual relations and optionally scored on a 0-100 as describedon the Hahn scale; and/or the patients of the present invention areevaluated for the parameters of bowel symptoms, fatigue, activityimpairment, emotional dysfunction and optionally scored as domainaverage scores (calculated by dividing the domain sum score by thenumber of items: range 1-7) as described on the Wong scale.

In some embodiments, patients may be stratified based on one or more ofmethane detection (e.g. via breath test) and methanogen detection (e.g.via PCR, e.g. qPCR). In some embodiments, the patient is consideredmethane breath test positive if the subject presents with greater thanabout 3 ppm methane. In some embodiments, the patient of the presentinvention has greater than about 10⁴, or about 10⁵, or about 10⁶ copiesof M. smithii per grams of wet stool. In some embodiments, the patientof the present invention is defined by a measurement of the fractionalmethanogen contribution to the total microbial content of the feces. Insome embodiments, the patient has greater than about 0.5%, or about0.6%, or about 0.7%, or about 0.8%, or about 0.9%, or about 1.0%, orabout 1.1%, or about 1.2%, or about 1.3%, or about 1.4%, or about 1.5%,or about 2.5% M. smithii fraction of the total microbial content of thefeces.

In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods forinhibiting or reducing methanogenesis, including in subjects afflictedwith one or more of IBS-C, obesity and diabetes, in which a subject isevaluated as a responder or a non-responder and treated accordingly. Forexample, in some embodiments, a subject may be evaluated for a baselinelevel of intestinal methane. Such a measurement may use any of thetechniques described herein, including without limitation methane breathtesting. Subsequently the subject is administered one or more of theformulations described herein for an initial treatment period of lessthan about 1 week (e.g. about 1 day, or about 2 days, or about 3 days,or about 4 days, or about 5 days, or about 6 days, or about 7 days) andthen re-evaluated for a post-initial treatment level of intestinalmethane. Such a measurement may use any of the techniques describedherein, including without limitation methane breath testing. This secondevaluation allows classification of subjects as responders ornon-responders; for example responders show a reduction in post-initialtreatment level of intestinal methane while non-responders do not.Accordingly, in some embodiments, responders are administered a fulltreatment period of a one or more of the formulations described herein(e.g. administration for weeks, months, years and even life of thepatient, inclusive of chronic administration). Further, in someembodiments, non-responders are not administered a full treatment periodof a one or more of the formulations described herein and instead aretreated with an alternative therapy.

In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods oftreating constipation in a subject. In various embodiments, the subjectis evaluated as a responder or a non-responder and treated accordingly.For example, in some embodiments, a subject may be evaluated for abaseline level of intestinal methane. Such a measurement may use any ofthe techniques described herein, including without limitation methanebreath testing. Subsequently, the subject is administered one or more ofthe formulations described herein for an initial treatment period ofless than about 1 week (e.g. about 1 day, or about 2 days, or about 3days, or about 4 days, or about 5 days, or about 6 days, or about 7days) and then re-evaluated for a post-initial treatment level ofintestinal methane. Such a measurement may use any of the techniquesdescribed herein, including without limitation methane breath testing.This second evaluation allows for classification of subjects asresponders or non-responders; for example responders show a reduction inpost-initial treatment level of intestinal methane while non-respondersdo not. Accordingly, in some embodiments, responders are administered afull treatment period of a one or more of the formulations describedherein (e.g. administration for weeks, months, years and even life ofthe patient, inclusive of chronic administration). Further, in someembodiments, non-responders are not administered a full treatment periodof a one or more of the formulations described herein and instead aretreated with an alternative therapy.

In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods oftreating various methanogen-associated disorders, including by way ofnon-limiting example IBS-C, in which a subject is evaluated as aresponder or a non-responder and treated accordingly. For example, insome embodiments, a subject may be evaluated for a baseline level ofintestinal methane. Such a measurement may use any of the techniquesdescribed herein, including without limitation methane breath testing.Subsequently, the subject is administered one or more of theformulations described herein for an initial treatment period of lessthan about 1 week (e.g. about 1 day, or about 2 days, or about 3 days,or about 4 days, or about 5 days, or about 6 days, or about 7 days) andthen re-evaluated for a post-initial treatment level of intestinalmethane. Such a measurement may use any of the techniques describedherein, including without limitation methane breath testing. This secondevaluation allows of classification of subjects as responders ornon-responders; for example responders show a reduction in post-initialtreatment level of intestinal methane while non-responders do not.Accordingly, in some embodiments, responders are administered a fulltreatment period of a one or more of the formulations described herein(e.g. administration for weeks, months, years and even life of thepatient, inclusive of chronic administration). Further, in someembodiments, non-responders are not administered a full treatment periodof a one or more of the formulations described herein and instead aretreated with an alternative therapy.

In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods foridentifying a patient that is likely to respond to long term (includingchronic) treatment one or more of the formulations described herein forthe treatment of one or more of inhibiting or reducing methanogenesis,including in subjects afflicted with one or more of IBS-C, obesity anddiabetes; treating constipation; and treating variousmethanogen-associated disorders, including by way of non-limitingexample IBS-C. In various embodiments, the methods include the steps ofevaluating a subject for a baseline level of intestinal methane (e.g.using any of the techniques described herein, including withoutlimitation methane breath testing); administering one or more of theformulations described herein for an initial treatment period of lessthan about 1 week (e.g. about 1 day, or about 2 days, or about 3 days,or about 4 days, or about 5 days, or about 6 days, or about 7 days); andre-evaluating the subject for a post-initial treatment level ofintestinal methane (e.g. using any of the techniques described herein,including without limitation methane breath testing). This re-evaluationallows of classification of subjects as responders or non-responders;for example responders show a reduction in post-initial treatment levelof intestinal methane while non-responders do not. Responders are thosepatients that are likely to respond to long term (including chronic)treatment one or more of the formulations described herein for thetreatment of one or more of inhibiting or reducing methanogenesis,including in subjects afflicted with one or more of C-IBS, obesity anddiabetes; treating constipation; and treating variousmethanogen-associated disorders, including by way of non-limitingexample C-IBS.

In some embodiments, methods of the present invention treat or preventconstipation. Constipation may be associated with, for example,chemotherapy, vinca alkaloids, oxaliplatins, taxanes, thalidomide,opioids, sedatives, anticholinergics, gastrointestinal antispasmodics,antiparkinsonism agents, antidepressants, phenothiazines, calcium- andaluminum-based antacids, diuretics, tranquilizers, sleeping medications,general anesthesia, pudendal blocks, inadequate fluid intake, excessiveuse of laxatives and/or enemas, prolonged immobility, inadequateexercise. spinal cord injury or compression, fractures, fatigue,weakness, inactivity, bedrest, cardiac problems, diverticulitis,neurological lesions, cerebral tumors, spinal cord injury, spinal cordcompression, paraplegia, cerebrovascular accident with paresis, weakabdominal muscles, hypothyroidism, lead poisoning, uremia, dehydration,hypercalcemia, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, anorexia, immobility,antidepressants, inability to increase intra-abdominal pressure,emphysema, neuromuscular impairment of the diaphragm, neuromuscularimpairment of abdominal muscles, abdominal hernias, malnutrition,cachexia, anemia, carcinoma, and senility. In some embodiments, methodsof the invention increase the number of bowel movements in a subjectsuffering from constipation. For example, methods of the invention mayincrease the number of bowel movements in the subject by at least 1, 2,3, 4, or 5 movements per week. In some embodiments, methods of theinvention increase the stool wet weight in a subject suffering fromconstipation. For example, the methods of the invention may increase thestool wet weight by at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%,50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100%.

In various embodiments, the constipation is associated with IBS, but thepresent invention, in some embodiments, can also relate to chronicfunctional constipation.

In various embodiments, the present invention relates to the treatmentof increased visceral hypersensitivity. In various embodiments, thepresent invention relates to the treatment of one or more ofstomachaches, pain, nausea, straining, and bloating and/or gas. Thepresent formulations and methods also treat one or more of as hardstools, infrequent stools, difficulty or straining at stools, feeling ofbeing unable to completely empty during a bowel movement, and thesensation of wanting to go but not being able to.

In various embodiments, the present invention relates to the treatmentfor diabetes (type 1 or type 2) and/or glucose intolerance. In someembodiments, the present invention relates to a method for treatingpatient at risk of diabetes, one or more of insulin resistance,prediabetes, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance(IGT), and acanthosis nigricans.

In some embodiments, methods for inducing weight loss or preventingweight gain (or treating or preventing obesity or inducing weight lossor preventing weight gain in a patient that does not substantiallychange caloric intake), comprising administering the presentformulations are provided. Patients may have undertaken or willundertake a surgery of the digestive system; be greater than about80-100 pounds overweight; have a BMI of greater than about 35 kg/m²; orhave a health problem related to obesity

In some embodiments, administration of the modified-release formulationof the present invention does not confer cholesterol-loweringcardiovascular effects associated with systemic administration ofstatins. For example, the present formulations and methods may avoid orreduce a subject’s systemic exposure to a statin. For example, thepresent formulations and methods may provide an average reduction ofless than about 20%, about 19%, about 18%, about 17%, about 16%, about15%, about 14%, about 13%, about 12%, about 11%, about 10%, about 9%,about 8%, about 7%, about 6%, about 5%, about 4%, about 3%, or about 2%in serum LDL-C levels after treatment.

In some embodiments, the patient is one who does not require statins fortheir cardiovascular therapeutic uses. In some embodiments, the patientis one who does not require statins for their cardiovascular therapeuticuses and is methane-positive (e.g. as assessed by the methods describedherein such as the methane breath test and qPCR).

By maximizing retention of the antimethanogenic statins to theintestines, the methods of the invention also minimize the side effectsassociated with systemic release of the statin. For example, the presentmethod prevents and/or minimizes various adverse effects associated withstatin usage including, muscle-associated adverse effects, such asmyositis, myalgia, rhabdomyolysis, drug-drug-interactions, cognitiveeffects, increased cancer risk, increases in liver enzymes, hemorrhagicstroke, increase in blood glucose levels, sleep disorders, peripheralneuropathy, sexual dysfunction, thyroid dysfunction, renal toxicity,irritability, shortness of breath, hyperkalemia, weight gain,neurodegenerative disease, pancreatitis, liver pathology, mitochondrialsyndromes, dermatologic conditions, dry mouth, cataracts, olfaction,hematalogic and bone marrow adverse effects, hypotension,gastrointestinal adverse effects, including, ulcerative colitis andgastric ulceration, fatigue and headache. In some embodiments, themethods of the invention also minimizes the following side effectsassociated with systemic release of a statin: muscle pain, tenderness,or weakness, lack of energy, weakness, fever, dark colored urine,jaundice, pain in the stomach, including the upper right part of thestomach, nausea, unusual bleeding or bruising, loss of appetite,flu-like symptoms, rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing orswallowing, and swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands,feet, ankles, or lower legs, hoarseness.

Accordingly, the modified-release formulation of the present inventionmay be used to target subjects where systemic statin levels areundesirable. In one embodiment, the subject may be women and childrenwho are otherwise healthy and have no need for a cardiovascular medicine(as characterized, for example, as having low or zero myocardial eventrisk factors as per the ATP III Guideline). In another embodiment, thesubject may be a child with IBS-C who has no need for acholesterol-lowering agent. In such embodiments, administration of themodified-release formulation of the present invention results in anaverage reduction of less than about 20%, about 19%, about 18%, about17%, about 16%, about 15%, about 14%, about 13%, about 12%, about 11%,about 10%, about 9%, about 8%, about 7%, about 6%, about 5%, about 4%,about 3%, or about 2% in serum LDL-C levels after treatment.

The modified-release formulation of the present invention may also beutilized as part of a treatment regimen wherein a subject is providedwith an initial anti-methanogenic therapy followed by a chronicanti-methanogenic or methane-reducing and/or eliminating maintenancetherapy.

The initial anti-methanogenic therapy may employ agents other thanstatins such as, for example, antibiotics which eradicate themethanogens. For example nitroimidazoles such as metronidazole,metronidazole esters and/or isomers or hydrophobic imidazole derivativesor rifaximin or neomycin sufficient to eradicate, substantially reduce,or reduce the enteric methanogen colonization may be used. Such initialtherapy may be for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 28, 42, 56, 60,90, 120 or 180 days or more. Examples of antibiotics include but are notlimited to aminoglycosides (e.g., amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin,neomycin, netilmicin, streptomycin, tobramycin, paromomycin), ansamycins(e.g., geldanamycin, herbimycin), carbacephems (e.g., loracarbef),carbapenems (e.g., ertapenem, doripenem, imipenem, cilastatin,meropenem), cephalosporins (e.g., first generation: cefadroxil,cefazolin, cefalotin or cefalothin, cefalexin; second generation:cefaclor, cefamandole, cefoxitin, cefprozil, cefuroxime; thirdgeneration: cefixime, cefdinir, cefditoren, cefoperazone, cefotaxime,cefpodoxime, ceftazidime, ceftibuten, ceftizoxime, ceftriaxone; fourthgeneration: cefepime; fifth generation: ceftobiprole), glycopeptides(e.g., teicoplanin, vancomycin), macrolides (e.g., azithromycin,clarithromycin, dirithromycin, erythromycin, roxithromycin,troleandomycin, telithromycin, spectinomycin), monobactams (e.g.,aztreonam), penicillins (e.g., amoxicillin, ampicillin, azlocillin,carbenicillin, cloxacillin, dicloxacillin, flucloxacillin, mezlocillin,meticillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, penicillin, piperacillin,ticarcillin), antibiotic polypeptides (e.g., bacitracin, colistin,polymyxin b), quinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, gatifloxacin,levofloxacin, lomefloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin,trovafloxacin), rifamycins (e.g., rifampicin or rifampin, rifabutin,rifapentine, rifaximin), sulfonamides (e.g., mafenide, prontosil,sulfacetamide, sulfamethizole, sulfanilamide, sulfasalazine,sulfisoxazole, trimethoprim, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole(co-trimoxazole, “tmp-smx”), and tetracyclines (e.g., demeclocycline,doxycycline, minocycline, oxytetracycline, tetracycline) as well asarsphenamine, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, lincomycin, ethambutol,fosfomycin, fusidic acid, furazolidone, isoniazid, linezolid,metronidazole, mupirocin, nitrofurantoin, platensimycin, pyrazinamide,quinupristin/dalfopristin combination, and tinidazole.

Following the initial therapy, a subject may be placed on maintenancetherapy in order to maintain reduced methanogen and/or methane levels.In some embodiments, the maintenance therapy utilizes a modified-releaseformulation of the present invention. In an embodiment, the initialtherapy includes an antibiotic followed by a chronic maintenance regimenof low dose statin formulations. In various embodiments, the maintenanceregiment may be administered for at least 1 week, at least 2 weeks, atleast 3 weeks, at least 4 weeks, at least one month, at least twomonths, at least three months, at least four months, at least fivemonths, at least six months, at least seven months, at least eightmonths, at least nine months, at least ten months, at least elevenmonths, at least 1 year, at least 2 years, at least 3 years, at least 4years, at least 5 years, at least 10 years, or indefinitely.

The modified-release formulation of the present invention may beutilized solely for chronic maintenance therapy. In various embodiments,the present invention provides a method of treating previously methanepositive patients who do not have one or more of cardiovascular disease,an LDL level of 190 mg/dL or higher, Type 2 diabetes who are between 40and 75 years of age, an estimated 10-year risk of cardiovascular diseaseof 7.5 percent or higher who are between 40 and 75 years of age with amodified-release formulation herein in order to maintain their methanenegative status. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the modified-releaseformulation of the present invention finds use as a prevention measurein a high risk patient.

In various embodiments, methods of the invention are useful in treatmenta human subject. In some embodiments, the human is a pediatric human. Inother embodiments, the human is an adult human. In other embodiments,the human is a geriatric human. In other embodiments, the human may bereferred to as a patient. In some embodiments, the human is a female. Insome embodiments, the human is a male.

In certain embodiments, the human has an age in a range of from about 1to about 18 months old, from about 18 to about 36 months old, from about1 to about 5 years old, from about 5 to about 10 years old, from about10 to about 15 years old, from about 15 to about 20 years old, fromabout 20 to about 25 years old, from about 25 to about 30 years old,from about 30 to about 35 years old, from about 35 to about 40 yearsold, from about 40 to about 45 years old, from about 45 to about 50years old, from about 50 to about 55 years old, from about 55 to about60 years old, from about 60 to about 65 years old, from about 65 toabout 70 years old, from about 70 to about 75 years old, from about 75to about 80 years old, from about 80 to about 85 years old, from about85 to about 90 years old, from about 90 to about 95 years old or fromabout 95 to about 100 years old. In one embodiment, the human is achild. In one embodiment, the human is a female.

Methods to Determine Methanogen Levels / Diagnostic and PatientSelections

Intestinal methanogen and/or methane levels can be determined by breathtests that measure breath methane levels. Breath testing may be utilizedto identify subjects who are “methane-positive” and who can potentiallybenefit from methods of the present invention. Further, breath testingcan also be used to monitor the efficacy of treatment. Breath testinganalysis methods and equipment are known in the art (see, for example,PCT/US14/27697, the entire contents of which are incorporated byreference herein). Examples of such equipment include, for example, theQuinTron BreathTracker gas chromatographic (GC) analyzer or the QuinTronBreathTracker device (QuinTron Instrument Company, Inc., Milwaukee, WI).

Further, abnormal lactulose breath test results are common in subjectswith IBS and therefore the present invention provides for the use oflactulose breath tests in evaluating patients. In some embodiments, apatient is evaluated with a lactulose breath test before and/or afteradministration with the present formulations.

In general, individuals having a breath methane level of at least about3 ppm are generally associated with methanogen-associated disorders andare likely to benefit from methods of the present invention.Alternatively, methods of the invention may be practiced on subjectshaving a breath methane level of at least 1 ppm, at least 1.5 ppm, atleast 2 ppm, at least 2.5 ppm, at least 3 ppm, at least 3.5 ppm, atleast 4 ppm, at least 5 ppm, at least 6 ppm, at least 7 ppm, at least 8ppm, at least 9 ppm, at least 10 ppm.

One method for measuring methanogen levels involves calculation of asubject’s breath methane area under the curve (BM-AUC). This methodinvolves obtaining multiple breath samples averaging about 15 minutesapart for a period of about 90 minutes, or about 120 minutes, or for upto 4 hours or more at potentially less frequent intervals. The timeperiod results are used to calculate a person’s BM-AUC. For example, asubject may undergo a such as lactulose, xylose, lactose, or glucosebreath test after a 12 hour fast. The breath test may comprise abaseline breath measurement after which the subject ingests about 10 gof such as lactulose, xylose, lactose, or glucose. Following lactuloseingestion, the subject is then asked to provide a breath sample aboutevery 15 minutes for about 90 to about 120 minutes to determine methaneproduction. BM-AUC may be utilized for more precisely determining andmonitoring, for example, the efficacy of the anti-methanogenic therapy.BM-AUC measurements could also be utilized to segregate “methanepositive” from “methane negative” subjects for improved clinicaldecision making. BM-AUC may be compared to or utilized with measurementof methanogen levels in stool samples via PCR, e.g. qPCR. Alternatively,measurement of methanogen levels in stool samples via PCR, e.g. qPCR maysupplant the use of a breath test. More precise techniques may alsoinvolve measurement of breath methane taking into account andsubtracting ambient methane levels.

Spot breath methane analysis via commercially available equipment suchas BreathTracker may be used in discriminating “methane-positive” from“methane-negative” individuals, and monitoring the success, failure,dose titration, dosing schedule (daily or non-daily, for example) of themodified-release formulations, such as various antimethanogenic statins.For example, the lowest minimum effective dose may be identified assuch. Additional instruments and techniques for measuring methane levelsinclude, but are not limited to, cavity enhanced absorption techniquessuch as a LGR-FMR methane measurement instrument having a range as lowas 0.01 ppm (Los Gatos Research, Inc., Mountain View, CA),wavelength-scanned cavity down-ring spectroscopy, carbon isotopeanalysis (G2132-i13C, Picarro, Inc, Santa Clara, CA), gaschromatography, mass spectroscopy, membrane extracted carbon isotopeanalysis (Pollock, 2012 GSA Annual Meeting, “Membrane Extracted CarbonIsotope Analysis Of Dissolved Methane”), headspace gas chromatographywith FID detector and GC combustion with IRMS instruments, for example.Other instruments having the ability to measure low concentration breathmethane levels at higher precision than the clinical validatedinstrument marketed as the QuinTron BreathTracker include high precisionbreath methane analysis (HPBMA). Use of HPBMA may be used to test spotbreath methane levels or in BM-AUC form.

In some embodiments, detection of hydrogen quantity and methane quantityis by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and/or radiationdetection to measure breath emissions of isotope-labeled carbon dioxide,methane, or hydrogen, after administering an isotope-labeled substratethat is metabolizable by gastrointestinal bacteria but poorly digestibleby the human host, such as lactulose, xylose, mannitol, or urea (e.g.,G. R. Swart and J. W. van den Berg, ¹³C breath test in gastrointestinalpractice, Scand. J. Gastroenterol. [Suppl.] 225:13-18 [1998]; S. F.Dellert et al., The ¹³C-xylose breath test for the diagnosis of smallbowel bacterial overgrowth in children, J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr.25(2):153-58 [1997]; C. E. King and P. P. Toskes, Breath tests in thediagnosis of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, Crit. Rev. Lab. Sci.21(3):269-81 [1984]). A poorly digestible substrate is one for whichthere is a relative or absolute lack of capacity in a human forabsorption thereof or for enzymatic degradation or catabolism thereof.

Suitable isotopic labels include ¹³C or ¹⁴C. For measuring methanesuitable isotopic labels can also include ²H and ³H or ¹⁷O and ¹⁸O, aslong as the substrate is synthesized with the isotopic label placed in ametabolically suitable location in the structure of the substrate, i.e.,a location where enzymatic biodegradation by intestinal microfloraresults in the isotopic label being sequestered in the gaseous product.If the isotopic label selected is a radioisotope, such as ¹⁴C, ³H, or¹⁵O, breath samples can be analyzed by gas chromatography with suitableradiation detection means (e.g., C. S. Chang et al., Increased accuracyof the carbon-14 D-xylose breath test in detecting small-intestinalbacterial overgrowth by correction with the gastric emptying rate, Eur.J. Nucl. Med. 22(10): 1118-22 [1995]; C. E. King and P. P. Toskes,Comparison of the 1-gram [¹⁴C]xylose, 10-gram lactulose-H2, and 80-gramglucose-H2 breath tests in patients with small intestine bacterialovergrowth, Gastroenterol. 91(6):1447-51 [1986]; A. Schneider et al.,Value of the ¹⁴C -D-xylose breath test in patients with intestinalbacterial overgrowth, Digestion 32(2):86-91 [1985]).

In various embodiments, treatments using the modified-releaseformulation of the invention result in a reduction of breath methanelevel of at least about 1 ppm, at least about 2 ppm, at least about 3ppm, at least about 4 ppm, at least about 5 ppm, at least about 6 ppm,at least about 7 ppm, at least about 8 ppm, at least about 9 ppm, atleast about 10 ppm, at least about 20 ppm, at least about 30 ppm, atleast about 40 ppm, at least about 50 ppm, at least about 60 ppm, atleast about 70 ppm, at least about 80 ppm, at least about 90 ppm, atleast about 100 ppm, at least about 110 ppm, at least about 120 ppm, atleast about 130 ppm, at least about 140 ppm, at least about 150 ppm, atleast about 160 ppm, at least about 170 ppm, at least about 180 ppm, atleast about 190 ppm, at least about 200 ppm, at least about 210 ppm, atleast about 220 ppm, at least about 230 ppm, at least about 240 ppm, andat least about 250 ppm.

The samples used for the present invention include a patient’s breath.In various embodiments, measurement of methanogen levels in stoolsamples via PCR, e.g. qPCR or other molecular biology approaches, forexample, is also provided. Further, aspirates of the fluid in the GItract may be analyzed for methanogen and/or methane levels. Also mucosalbiopsies from a site in the gastrointestinal tract may be analyzed formethanogen and/or methane levels.

Methods of “quantitative” amplification are well known to those of skillin the art. For example, quantitative PCR involves simultaneouslyco-amplifying a known quantity of a control sequence using the sameprimers. This provides an internal standard that may be used tocalibrate the PCR reaction. Detailed protocols for quantitative PCR areprovided in, for example, Innis, et al. (1990) PCR Protocols, A Guide toMethods and Applications, Academic Press, Inc. N.Y.). Measurement of DNAcopy number at microsatellite loci using quantitative PCR analysis isdescribed in, for example, Ginzonger, et al. (2000) Cancer Research60:5405-5409. The known nucleic acid sequence for the genes issufficient to enable one of skill in the art to routinely select primersto amplify any portion of the gene. Fluorogenic quantitative PCR mayalso be used in the methods of the invention. In fluorogenicquantitative PCR, quantitation is based on amount of fluorescencesignals, e.g., TaqMan and Sybr green.

Other suitable amplification methods include, but are not limited to,ligase chain reaction (LCR) (see, for example, Wu and Wallace (1989)Genomics 4: 560, Landegren, et al. (1988) Science 241:1077, andBarringer et al. (1990) Gene 89: 117), transcription amplification(Kwoh, et al. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86: 1173),self-sustained sequence replication (Guatelli, et al. (1990) Proc. Nat.Acad. Sci. USA 87: 1874), dot PCR, and linker adapter PCR, etc.

In still other embodiments of the methods provided herein, sequencing ofindividual nucleic molecules (or their amplification products) isperformed. In one embodiment, a high throughput parallel sequencingtechnique that isolates single nucleic acid molecules of a population ofnucleic acid molecules prior to sequencing may be used. Such strategiesmay use so-called “next generation sequencing systems” including,without limitation, sequencing machines and/or strategies well known inthe art, such as those developed by Illumina/Solexa (the GenomeAnalyzer; Bennett et al. (2005) Pharmacogenomics, 6:373-20 382), byApplied Biosystems, Inc. (the SOLiD Sequencer;solid.appliedbiosystems.com), by Roche (e.g., the 454 GS FLX sequencer;Margulies et al. (2005) Nature, 437:376-380; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,274,320;6,258,568; 6,210,891) and others. Other sequencing strategies such asstochastic sequencing (e.g., as developed by Oxford Nanopore) may alsobe used, e.g., as described in International Patent Publication No.WO/2010/004273.

In still other embodiments of the methods provided herein, deepsequencing can be used to identify and quantify the methanogen ormethanogen syntrophic microorganism. These techniques are known in theart.

Kits

The present invention is also directed to a kit for the treatment of amethanogen-associated disorder. The kit is an assemblage of materials orcomponents, including at least one of the modified-release formulationsdescribed herein. The kit may further include materials and componentsfor the quantification of methanogens. The exact nature of thecomponents configured in the kit depends on its intended purpose. In oneembodiment, the kit is configured for the purpose of treating humansubjects.

Instructions for use may be included in the kit. Instructions for usetypically include a tangible expression describing the technique to beemployed in using the components of the kit to affect a desired outcome,such as to treat a disorder associated with methanogens. Optionally, thekit also contains other useful components, such as, diluents, buffers,pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, syringes, catheters, applicators,pipetting or measuring tools, bandaging materials or other usefulparaphernalia as will be readily recognized by those of skill in theart.

The materials and components assembled in the kit can be provided to thepractitioner store in any convenience and suitable ways that preservetheir operability and utility. For example, the components can beprovided at room, refrigerated or frozen temperatures. The componentsare typically contained in suitable packaging materials. In variousembodiments, the packaging material is constructed by well-knownmethods, preferably to provide a sterile, contaminant-free environment.The packaging material may have an external label which indicates thecontents and/or purpose of the kit and/or its components.

In various embodiments, a kit comprises a pill bottle containing adesiccant to maintain formulation stability.

The invention is further described by reference to the followingnon-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES Example 1: Dual Pulse Formulation

A clinical study was undertaken with a human patient. The patient wasadministered ALTOPREV (i.e. extended release lovastatin) and the breathmethane reading was about 70 ppm. When switched to MEVACOR (i.e.immediate release lovastatin), the breath methane increased to 168 ppm.Surprisingly, when administering the combination of ALTOPREV andMEVACOR, the breath methane was reduced to 0 ppm.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, an immediate release productsubstantially releases higher in the GI tract than an extended releaseproduct, which releases low in the GI tract. Accordingly, a polymercoated bead released from an enteric-coated capsule as described inFIGS. 1-3 and various other dual pulse formulations are made.

Example 2: Development of Dual Pulse Formulations

A SYN-010 drug product was produced which was a HPMC capsule filled withenteric-coated mini-tablets from which lovastatin was released atdifferent intestinal pH values. The mini-tablets were designed to passthrough the stomach unchanged then release a small amount of lovastatininto the duodenum and the majority of the lovastatin dose into theileocecal junction and colon (FIG. 5 ). The relative amounts oflovastatin released into the small and large intestine reflected thelevels of methane-producing archaea in each location.

Each mini-tablet in the SYN-010 dosage form contains lovastatin combinedwith USP excipients and coated with a EUDRAGIT® enteric polymer thatdissolves at either pH 5.5 (duodenal release; DR) or pH 7.0 (ileocecalrelease; ICR). Specifically, the SYN-010 (21 mg) formulation comprisesan opaque, white, size 1 HPMC capsule containing 1 × pH 5.5-coatedmini-tablet (DR) and 2 × pH 7.0-coated mini-tablets (ICR). The SYN-010(42 mg) formulation comprises an opaque, white, size 1 HPMC capsulecontaining 1 × pH 5.5-coated mini-tablet (DR) and 5 × pH 7.0-coated(ICR).

The SYN-010 capsules are ingested orally, once daily, with 200 mL water.The SYN-010 capsules are swallowed whole and not chewed. The SYN-010capsules do not require dilution.

Lovastatin was produced, analyzed and released using methodology knownin the art. The properties of lovastatin is summarized below in Table 2:

Table 2 Property Description Name Lovastatin CAS 75330-75-5 FormulaC₂₄H₃₆O₅ MW 404.54 g/mol Appearance White to off-white crystallinepowder Melting Point. 174.5° C. (under N₂); 170.6-170.8° C. (crudeproduct) Density 1.12 g/100 cm³ Solubility (room temp) Water 0.0004mg/mL; ethanol 16 mg/mL; methanol 28 mg/mL Specific Rotation (+)328.9 °UV λ_(max) 238 nm

Various excipients were utilized in the SYN-010 drug product and theirfunctions are listed in Table 3 below. The excipients and coatings werechosen to enable formulation of lovastatin in appropriate enteric-coatedmini-tablets and provide the desired lovastatin dual-pulse releaseprofile detailed herein.

Table 3 Name Common Name Function Lovastatin Lovastatin lactone Activepharmaceutical ingredient; reduces methane production by intestinalarchaea Avicel PH102 Cellulose, microcrystalline Tablet diluent KollidonVA64 Fine Copovidone Tablet binder Aerosil 200 Silicon dioxide (silica)Viscosity and dispersion agent Magnesium stearate Magnesium stearateLubricant used to facilitate tableting Kollidon CL Crospovidone Tabletdisintegrant EUDRAGIT L 30 D-55 + PlasACRYL HTP20 Enteric polymer, pH5.5 Poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethyl acrylate) 1:1 Enteric coating thatdissolves at pH 5.5, enabling the mini-tablets to pass through thestomach unchanged and release drug into the duodenum (DR). PlasAcryl isan anti-tacking agent coating additive that results in shorterpreparation and spraying times EUDRAGIT FS 30 D + PlasACRYL T20Poly(methyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) 7:3:1Enteric coating that dissolves at pH 7.0, enabling, the mini-tablets topass through the stomach and upper small intestine unchanged and releasedrug into the ileocecal junction and colon (ICR). PlasAcryl is ananti-tacking agent coating additive that results in shorter preparationand spraying times FD&C Blue No.2 FD&C Blue No.2 Pigment used todifferentiate the two enteric-coated mini-tablets to facilitateencapsulation and ensure quality control Vcaps HPMC, size 1, opaquewhite capsule Capsule shell

The compatibility of lovastatin drug substance with formulationexcipients was evaluated in binary stress testing studies where 1:1mixtures of lovastatin and each excipient were stored for 7 days underdifferent conditions of temperature and relative humidity (RH). Sampleswere analyzed by HPLC (based on USP methods) at day 0 and day 7. Datafrom binary stress testing studies with the present excipients arepresented in Table 4 below:

Table 4 Lovastatin 1:1 mixture with indicated excipient Lovastatindegradant peak (% of lovastatin) after storage for 7 days at theindicated condition^(a,b) Day 0 5 °C 25° C./60% RH 40° C./75% RH 50° C.Alone (no excipient) 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 Kollidon VA64 Fine 0.040.05 0.04 0.05 0.04 Aerosil 200 0.07 0.09 0.09 0.23 0.10 Kollidon CL-F0.05 0.05 0.05 0.06 0.05 Citric acid 0.38 0.63 0.69 0.23 0.64 EUDRAGIT L30 D-55 + PlasACRYL HTP20^(c) 0.11 0.19 0.19 0.27 0.23 EUDRAGIT FS 30D + PlasACRYL T20^(c) 0.11 0.18 0.19 0.33 0.26 ^(a)HPLC relativeretention time 0.46 min = lovastatin β-hydroxyacid. ^(b)USP monographrequires individual impurities to be no more than 0.2%. ^(c)Highmoisture content.

Binary stress testing identified that lovastatin lactone alone wasstable over a range of conditions; however, formulated lovastatinunderwent a small amount of hydrolytic degradation to the β-hydroxyacid.This was exacerbated in the presence of acidic materials such as citricacid. Subsequent stress testing of enteric-coated lovastatinmini-tablets affirmed lovastatin moisture sensitivity and demonstratedthat the small amount of lovastatin degradation observed in the dosageform may be prevented by storage in a sealed container or by storagewith a desiccant (see Table 5 below). Moisture barrier sub-coats,including SEPIFILM™ LP014 and LP030 (SEPPIC), Opadry® amb II (Colorcon),and Aquarius® MG (Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients) were evaluatedduring formulation development. The Acryl-EZE® (Colorcon) pH 5.5 entericcoating was also evaluated in initial coat integrity testing in 0.1 MHCl. The EUDRAGIT polymers were chosen for use in the SYN-010formulations.

Table 5 FORMULATION Composition of coated lovastatin-containinomini-tablets (%)^(a) ANH-056 ANH-069 ANH-073 ANH-069 ANH-069 Lovastatinlactone 14.0% 12.3% 12.9% 12.3% 12.3% Avicel PH102 70.0% 61.7% 64.4%61.7% 61.7% Kollidon VA64 Fine 7.0% 6.2% 6.4% 6.2% 6.2% Aerosil 200 2.0%1.8% 1.8% 1.8% 1.8% Magnesium stearate 1.0% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% KollidonCL-F 6.0% 5.3% 5.5% 5.3% 5.3% Aquarius MG^(b) - 4.3% - 4.3% 4.3%EUDRAGIT FS 30 D + PlasACRYL T20 - 7.6% 7.9% 7.6% 7.6% TOTAL 100.0%100.0% 100/.0% 100.0% 100.0% STRESS TESTING Lovastatin degradant peak (%of lovastatin) after storage at 40° C./75% RH in different containers(n=2)^(c) Container Open Dish Open Bottle^(d) Closed Bottle^(d) ClosedBottle^(d) Closed Bottle^(d) Desiccant - - - - Silica gel Day 0 nottested 0.12, 0.13 0.15, 0.14 0.12, 0.13 0.12, 0.13 Day 7 0.64 0.46, 0.470.32, 0.34 0.23, 0.23 0.09, 0.09 ^(a)All mini-tablets contained the samecore (ANH-056) prior to coating. ^(b)Moisture barrier sub-coat. ^(c)HPLCRRT 0.46 min = lovastatin β-hydroxyacid; USP monograph limit no morethan 0.2%. ^(d)High-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottle.

The compositions of the lovastatin-containing, enteric-coatedmini-tablets and placebo enteric-coated mini-tablets are detailed inTable 6. The mini-tablets are round (5.5 mm diameter × 2.5 mm high) withnormal concavity.

Table 6 Component Common Name Compendia DR tablets mini- ICR tabletsmini- Placebo mg % mg % mg % Lovastatin Lovastatin lactone USP/NF 7.012.2 7.0 12.2 - 0.0 Avicel® PH102 Cellulose, microcrystalline USP/NF35.0 60.9 35.0 60.9 42.0 73.0 Kollidon® VA64 Fine Copovidone USP/NF 3.56.1 3.5 6.1 3.5 6.1 Aerosil® 200 Silicon dioxide (silica) USP/NF 1.0 1.71.0 1.7 1.0 1.7 Magnesium stearate Magnesium stearate USP/NF 0.5 0.9 0.50.9 0.5 0.9 Kollidon® CL-F Crospovidone USP/NF 3.0 5.2 3.0 5.2 3.0 5.2EUDRAGIT® L 30 D-55 + PlasACRYL™ HTP20^(a) Enteric polymer, pH 5.5Poly(methacrylic acid-co-ethyl acrylate) 1:1 USP/NF USP/NF 7.513.0 - - - - EUDRAGIT® FS 30 D + PlasACRYL™ T20 Poly(methylacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) 7:3:1 Noncompendial - - 7.5 13.0 7.5 13.0 Coated Mini-tablet Total 57.5 100.057.5 100.0 57.5 100.0 ^(a)FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake 12-14% (0.0065%of the EUDRAGIT L30 D-55 coated mini-tablet weight) included to allowvisual differentiation of the DR mini-tablets

The compositions of SYN-010 21 mg and 42 mg capsule dosage forms andplacebos are further detailed in Table 7 below:

Table 7 PARAMETER 21 mg 42 mg Placebo MINI-TABLETS per CAPSULE No. No.No. DR (pH 5.5 coated) 1 1 - ICR (pH 7.0 coated) 2 5 6 Total 3 6 6COMPONENTS per CAPSULE mg % mg % mg % Lovastatin lactone 21.0 8.5 42.010.0 - - Avicel PH102 105.0 42.4 210.0 50.0 252.0 60.0 Kollidon VA64Fine 10.5 4.2 21.0 5.0 21.0 5.0 Aerosil 200 3.0 1.2 6.0 1.4 6.0 1.4Magnesium stearate 1.5 0.6 3.0 0.7 3.0 0.7 Kollidon CL-F 9.0 3.6 18.04.3 18.0 4.3 EUDRAGIT L 30 D-55 + PlasACRYL HTP20^(a) 7.5 3.0 7.51.8 - - EUDRAGIT FS 30 D + PlasACRYL T20 15.0 6.1 37.5 8.9 45.0 10.7Vcaps® HPMC capsule; white, opaque size 1^(a) 75.0 30.3 75.0 17.9 75.017.9 SYN-010 Total 247.5 100.0 420.0 100.0 420.0 100.0 ^(a)FD&C Blue No.2 Aluminum Lake 12-14% (0.0065% of the EUDRAGIT L30 D-55 coatedmini-tablet weight) included to allow visual differentiation of the DRmini-tablets

The SYN-010 formulation takes advantage of (i) intestinal regionaldifferences in lovastatin hydrolysis and absorption, and (ii) intrinsicabsorption differences between lovastatin lactone and β-hydroxyacid toincrease the amount of lovastatin lactone in the intestinal lumen andminimize the absorption of lovastatin species into the systemiccirculation. Specifically enteric protection avoids gastric absorptionand prevents conversion of the more poorly absorbed lovastatin lactone(the active antimethanogenic agent) to the more readily absorbedβ-hydroxyacid (not antimethanogenic). In addition, the bulk oflovastatin released from SYN-010, 21 mg and 42 mg occurs after theprimary absorption lovastatin windows in the small intestine, therebyincreasing delivery of lovastatin lactone to the colon.

The primary absorption window for both lovastatin lactone andβ-hydroxyacid is the small intestine; however, there appears to be ameaningful gastric component to lovastatin oral absorption. For example,~30% of an intragastric dose of either lovastatin lactone orβ-hydroxyacid exited the gastric juice of pylorus-ligated rats within 30min. There appears to be relatively little pre-portal hydrolysis oflovastatin lactone in vivo after oral administration (∼10%), with thebulk of the lactone to β-hydroxyacid conversion occurring in the liverand the plasma. Studies also suggest that colonic bacteria maycontribute to intestinal lovastatin hydrolysis, and incubation oflovastatin lactone with human and rat fecal bacterial enzyme fractionsresulted in 8-19% loss of lovastatin lactone over a 12 h period. FIG. 6shows the estimated lovastatin lactone levels in the gastrointestinaltract after oral dosing.

Lovastatin is a white to off-white crystalline powder that was co-milledand blended with excipients during processing but was not otherwiseprocessed to reduce particle size or convert to an amorphous state. Inthe present indication (IBS-C), systemic lovastatin bioavailability maynot be required and solubility may not a primary determinant ofpotential efficacy. Rather, lovastatin needs to disperse in theintestinal lumen, and dissolution studies have demonstrated appropriatelovastatin release from the SYN-010 dosage form

Development of a product with the appropriate lovastatin release profilerequired detailed dissolution testing in media of varying pH values thatrepresented different regions of the intestinal tract. The dissolutionstrategy employed during SYN-010 development is represented in FIG. 7 .Dissolution studies utilized a Type 2 apparatus (as proscribed in thelovastatin USP monograph; Lovastatin USP 37) and evaluated a number ofvariables, including paddle speed and the concentration of sodiumdodecyl sulfate (SDS) included in the dissolution medium. Duringdevelopment, it was determined that an elevated paddle speed (100 rpm)was unsuitable for the integrity of the enteric coating while a lowerpaddle speed (50 rpm) did not provide sufficient agitation of the dosageforms to ensure lovastatin dissolution. The SDS concentrations in thedissolution medium at pH 5.9 (20 g/L) and pH 7.0 (10.75 g/L) weresufficient to enable appropriate dissolution of lovastatin; however SDSconcentrations of 5-20 g/L in the acid medium (0.1 M HCl) adverselyimpacted the pH 5.5 enteric coating. This issue was resolved byapplication of a thicker coating of enteric polymer (15% weight increaseover the mini-tablet core) that was used in the SYN-010 clinicalformulation. A lower concentration of SDS (0.625 g/L) was employed inthe 0.1 M HCl dissolution medium without adversely impacting lovastatindissolution.

Data from the dissolution studies of SYN-010, 42 mg capsules arepresented in FIG. 8 . Each mini-tablet contained the ANH-056 core. The 1× DR mini-tablet was coated with EUDRAGIT L 30 D-55 + PlasACRYL HTP20(15.55% weight increase over the mini-tablet core). The 5 × ICRmini-tablets was coated with EUDRAGIT FS 30 D + PlasACRYL T20 (15.87%weight increase). The HPMC capsule shell dissolved within 10 minutes in0.1 M HCl (representing the stomach) to expose the lovastatinmini-tablets. All mini-tablets were stable in 0.1 M HCl for 2 hours, andno lovastatin or lovastatin degradation products were observed in theacid medium. After 2 hours in 0.1 M HCl, the mini-tablets weretransferred to a new well containing pH 5.9 phosphate buffer(representing the duodenum) and the 1 × DR mini-tablet disintegrated andlovastatin dissolved completely within 10 minutes. After 60 minutes atpH 5.9, the pH was raised to pH 7.2 (representing the ileum) by additionof NaOH, After a 30 min lag period, complete disintegration of the 5 ×ICR tablets and dissolution of lovastatin was observed at pH 7.2.

The dissolution studies on SYN-010, 42 mg capsules demonstrate that adosage form comprising HPMC capsules containing a combination ofenteric-coated lovastatin mini-tablets has the appropriate releaseprofile to deliver lovastatin to the duodenum and the ileocecaljunction/colon.

Dissolution studies have also determined that the thickness of themini-tablet enteric coating - particularly the EUDRAGIT L 30 D-55 - wasimportant for ensuring mini-tablet integrity in stomach acid and thusthe appropriate lovastatin release profile. As illustrated in Table 8,when combinations of mini-tablets with different coating thicknesseswere stirred in 0.1 M HCl, EUDRAGIT L 30 D-55 coating thicknesses ofless than 15% failed. Specifically, Table 8 shows the effect ofdifferent enteric coating thicknesses and on coat integrity ofmini-tablets stirred in 0.1 M HCl (pH 1.2) for 120 min in a USP type 2dissolution apparatus at 75 rpm. SDS added to the dissolution medium tohelp solubilize lovastatin also adversely impacted the pH 5.5 entericcoating, and reduced levels of SDS were used in dissolution studies ofthe final SYN-010, 21 mg and 42 mg clinical dosage forms.

Table 8 Coating Thickness Tablet integrity over 120 min period atindicated SDS conc. (g/L)^(a) (B = blister, R = rupture, S = swell.) pHwt. gain 0 0.625 1.25 2.5 5 20 5.5^(b) 9.56% B,S,R - - - B,S,R B,R7.0^(c) 9.03% No change - - - No change No change 7.0^(c) 11.4%S^(d) - - - S^(e) - 5.5^(b) 15.55% No change No change B,S,R B,S,RB,S,R - 7.0^(c) 15.89% No change No change No change No change Nochange - ^(a)Identical ANH-056 tablet cores ^(b)EUDRAGIT® L 30 D-55 +PlasACRYL™ HTP20. ^(c)EUDRAGIT® FS 30 D + PlasACRYL™ T20. ^(d)One of 6tablets. ^(e)4 of 6 tablets.

Stress-testing of enteric-coated lovastatin mini-tablets has illustratedthat SYN-010, 21 mg and 42 mg can be effectively stored in closed HDPEcontainers containing a desiccant. SYN-010 (21 mg) and SYN-010 (42 mg)clinical trial materials were packaged in separate 60 mL high-densitypolyethylene (HDPE) wide-mouth round bottles with a 33 mm polypropylenechild-resistant closure and an induction foil inner seal. Each bottlecontained 33 SYN-010 capsules with a CAN SORB-IT® desiccant canistercontaining 1.0 g of silica gel desiccant. The capsules are stored at20-25° C.

Example 3: Clinical Evaluation of Different Release Profiles

Duodenal and ileocecal release profiles are compared separately and incombination to evaluate any benefit of one over the other or synergy inthe combination. Further an evaluation of the pharmacokinetics andbreath methane effects of different doses and dosing profiles in methanepositive subjects may be undertaken.

Example 3: Clinical Selection of Responder Patients

In this study, a retrospective chart review from the last 18 months ofclinical practice was undertaken for the use of statins in treatingpatients with methane-positive bacterial overgrowth and theconstipation-predominant form of IBS (C-IBS). While constipation andbloating severity were in general proportional to the reduction inmethane, this was not a prospective study, and symptoms were subjective.The chart review therefore focused on the reduction of methaneproduction. As data for methane were not normally distributed, data wererepresented as medians and a non-parametric test Mann-Whitney test wasused to compare groups. Most of the methane positive IBS patients withconstipation evaluated were first treated with a course of rifaximin andneomycin. Subjects placed on statin therapy were those that wereresistant or refractory to this conventional antibiotic approach. Thiscould also imply, without wishing to be bound by theory, that they aremore refractory to treatment in general.

Generally, the majority of the best responses were seen in patientsreceiving ALTOPREV alone or in combination with immediate-releaselovastatin (e.g. MEVACOR).

Further, evaluation of the absolute change in breath methane levels frombaseline showed a trend towards a greater breath methane-lowering effectat higher ALTOPREV doses; however, there were a number of apparentnon-responders (FIG. 9A). This is perhaps seen more clearly whencomparing percentage change from baseline, where there was a divisionbetween ALTOPREV responders and apparent non-responders with no obviousdose response amongst the responders (FIG. 9B)

When reviewing the absolute change in breath methane levels, thereappears to be an almost linear trend, with the patients having highestbaseline breath methane levels showing the greatest absolute reductionsin breath methane regardless of the ALTOPREV dose (FIG. 9C). In thisanalysis, there was a group of apparent non-responders with varyingbaseline methane levels. Comparison of the percentage change in breathmethane vs. baseline breath methane (FIG. 9D) showed a separationbetween ALTOPREV responders and apparent non-responders, again, with noobvious dose response amongst the responders.

Example 4: In Vivo Effects of Lovastatin on M. Smithii Colonized RatsWith Constipation

30 adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were placed on a high-fat diet (60.3%kcal from fat, Teklad high-fat diet TD.06414, Harlan Laboratories Inc,Madison, WI) for 7 weeks. The rats were assessed for increased M.smithii by qPCR before and after the diet, and then divided into 3groups. Group 1 was given lovastatin in its lactone form, Group 2 wasgiven lovastatin hydroxy acid (each 1.5 mg/rat), and Group 3 was gavagedwith a placebo. Each group was gavaged daily for 10 days. Three daystool collections were performed to assess average stool wet weight anddaily variability prior to commencing the high fat diet, after 7 weeksof high-fat diet, and the final days of the lovastatin gavage (still onhigh-fat diet). On day 10 of the gavage, rats were euthanized and DNAwas extracted from contents of ligated bowel segments (duodenum,jejunum, ileum, cecum and left colon). qPCR was performed using primersfor total luminal bacteria and M. smithii.

Results indicate that high-fat diet augmented stool M. smithiicolonization in Sprague-Dawley rats (7.58×10⁴ ± 6.62×10⁴ cfu/mL atbaseline to 2.60×10⁵ ± 1.95×10⁵ after 7 weeks of high-fat) (P<0.01)(FIG. 10A). This was coupled with a reduction in the stool wet-weights(62.4% at baseline to 48.6% after 7 weeks) (P<0.01) (FIG. 10B). At thispoint rats were divided into 3 groups. With respect to the totalbacteria by qPCR, levels were not different between placebo and eitherlovastatin group. For M. smithii, the ratio of M. smithii to totalbacteria was reduced in the ileum of rats given the lovastatin lactonebut not hydroxy acid. M. smithii levels in the colon were unaffected(FIG. 11 ).

Example 5: Pharmacokinetics of SYN-010 in Dogs

The SYN-010 formulation comprises capsules containing a combination ofdifferent enteric-coated mini-tablets designed to pass through thestomach unchanged and release lovastatin in different areas of theintestinal tract. The present study evaluated the plasmapharmacokinetics of lovastatin lactone and β-hydroxyacid afteradministration of the different SYN-010 lovastatin enteric-coatedmini-tablets - alone and in combination - to beagle dogs, Animals werealso administered commercially available immediate release and extendedrelease formulations of lovastatin. Dogs have previously been shown tobe appropriate for studying lovastatin disposition and have agastrointestinal tract with many similarities to humans. Five dogs(6.4-8.0 kg body weight) were randomized to receive each of thefollowing doses using a Latin square dose design, i.e., each dogreceived each dose during the study, separated by a one week washoutperiod: Dose A 6 × pH 5.5-coated lovastatin (7 mg) mini-tablets(duodenal release; DR); total dose 42 mg; Dose B: 6 × pH 7.0-coatedlovastatin (7 mg) mini-tablets (ileocecal release; ICR); total dose 42mg; Dose C: 1 × DR + 5 × ICR lovastatin (7 mg) mini-tablets; total dose42 mg; Dose D: 1 × MEVACOR immediate release lovastatin tablet; totaldose 40 mg; Dose E: 1 × ALTOPREV extended release lovastatin tablet;total dose 40 mg.

All doses were administered in a single Torpac size 000 gelatin capsule.Dogs were fasted overnight prior to dosing and food was restored 2.0-2.5h post-dose. Blood samples were taken from each dog over a 36 htime-period and plasma was analyzed for lovastatin lactone andlovastatin β-hydroxyacid using a qualified LC-MS/MS method.Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using non-compartmentalmethods.

Mean concentration versus time profiles for the different doses arepresented in FIG. 12 . Plasma levels of lovastatin β-hydroxyacid trackedalmost identically with lovastatin lactone, consistent with publishedreports that conversion of lactone to β-hydroxyacid occurs predominantlyafter absorption from the GI tract. The AUCacid/AUClactone ratio(1.5-1.7) was not different for Doses A, C, D and E; but was only 0.8for Dose B, due to very low lovastatin absorption from the Dose Bformulation.

The comparative pharmacokinetic behaviors of MEVACOR and ALTOPREV inthis dog study were consistent with published clinical studies andpharmacokinetic parameters for these formulations were similar to thosereported in published dog studies. A key difference in the current workwas the presence of a large second peak concentration (C_(peak,2)) ofboth lactone and β-hydroxyacid in some dogs, which has not previouslybeen reported.

The DR mini-tablets (Dose A) provided similar overall lovastatinexposure (AUC) to the MEVACOR and ALTOPREV formulations; however, unlikeMEVACOR, the pharmacokinetic profile for Dose A indicated that the pH5.5 enteric coating delayed lovastatin release until the mini-tabletsreached the upper small intestine. This was reflected in longer timesbefore the first measurable lovastatin lactone and β-hydroxyacidconcentrations (T_(lag) 1.0-2.0 h) and a later first peak plasmaconcentration (T_(peak,1) 2.0-6.0 h) for Dose A compared to the MEVACORimmediate release formulation (T_(lag) 0.5-1.0 h and T_(peak,1) 1.0-2.0h). As observed for MEVACOR, Dose A also demonstrated a large meanC_(peak,2) that was predominantly due to two dogs. This second peak mayreflect delayed release of one or more mini-tablets from the stomach ofthese animals. Published reports have identified that the dog pylorus ismore restrictive than the human pylorus, and particles ≥5 mm in diameter(such as the SYN-010 mini-tablets) tend to be retained in the stomachuntil expelled with the next GI housekeeper wave (Phase III of themigrating motor complex), regardless of prandial state. The time betweenhousekeeper waves in fed dogs (5-13 h) is highly variable andsignificantly longer than observed in fed humans (2-5 h). In the presentstudy, food was restored to dogs 2.0-2.5 h post-dose. If SYN-010mini-tablets were administered to fasted dogs immediately after ahousekeeping wave, and one or more mini-tablets did not exit thestomach, these mini-tablets could be retained in the stomach for asignificant period of time prior to release with the next housekeeperwave.

The results obtained with the ICR mini-tablets (Dose B) and the 1 × DR +5 × ICR combination (Dose C) were compelling with respect to thepotential utility of these formulations in IBS-C. The very low toundetectable levels of lovastatin lactone and β-hydroxyacid afteradministration of Dose B suggest negligible lovastatin absorption fromthe GI tract and retention of lovastatin lactone in the intestinallumen. No undisintegrated mini-tablets or tablet fragments were reportedin dog feces during routine cage-side observations. Dose C delivered lowsystemic lovastatin levels (i.e. the mean dose-normalized lovastatinlactone AUC was 56% of the mean dose-normalized MEVACOR AUC) andexhibited a dual pulse release profile, with two peak concentrations foreach analyte separated by ~14 h. As for Dose A, the second peak waslargely due to two dogs that had very large C_(peak,2). Considering thenegligible plasma levels of lovastatin lactone and β-hydroxyacidobserved with the ICR component alone (Dose B), the plasma concentrationvs. time profiles for these analytes in Dose C appears to bepredominantly due to the DR component of the formulation.

SYN-010 mini-tablets were among the drug products used in this study.Each enteric-coated mini-tablet contains 7 mg of lovastatin combinedwith USP excipients and coated with a EUDRAGIT® enteric polymer thatdissolves at either pH 5.5 (DR) or pH 7.0 (ICR). Each mini-tablet iscircular in shape, with diameter ~5 mm, height ~3 mm, and weight ∼54 mg.DR mini-tablets have a pale blue color while ICR mini-tablets are white.MEVACOR 40 mg IR lovastatin tablets; ALTOPREV 40 mg XR lovastatintablets and veterinary size 000 porcine gelatin capsules (Torpac,Fairfield NJ) were also used. All materials were ready to use andmaintained at room temperature; ALTOPREV and MEVACOR were storeddesiccated in the dark.

Example 6: Phase 2 Clinical Trial of SYN-010 for IBS-C

A Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled,multi-dose study is being conducted. The primary objective of this studyis to evaluate the change from baseline in breath methane, as determinedby a lactulose breath test, in methane-positive patients with IBS-Cafter seven days of treatment with one of two formulations of SYN-010compared with placebo. Approximately 60 patients are being enrolled andrandomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups, including twodifferent SYN-010 dose groups, 21 mg and 42 mg, and a placebo group.Patients are scheduled to receive single oral doses of SYN-010 each dayfor 28 days. Sixty subjects with who are between the ages of 18 and 65,inclusive, are being enrolled.

Inclusion criteria are: subjects must have IBS-C and have a positivebreath methane test result (> 10 ppm) at screening, subject must meetthe modified Rome III criteria for IBS-C, subject must have an averageabdominal pain intensity score of ≥ 3 (scale 0-10) reported at screeningand baseline, subject must have an average of fewer than 3 completespontaneous bowel movement (CSBMs) per week and subject must agree torefrain from making any lifestyle changes that may affect IBS-C symptomsfrom the time of screening to the end of the study.

Exclusion Criteria are: subject has taken IBS treatments (prescriptionor over-the-counter), proton pump inhibitors, laxatives, antibiotics,subject currently has any structural abnormality of the gastrointestinal(GI) tract or a disease or condition that can affect GI motility, or anyunexplained and clinically significant symptoms such as lower GIbleeding, rectal bleeding, heme-positive stool, iron-deficiency anemia,weight loss, or systemic signs of infection, subject has been diagnosedwith or has a family history of familial adenomatous polyposis,hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, or any other form of familialcolorectal cancer, and subject reports loose (mushy) or watery stools(Bristol Stool Form Scale [BSFS] score of 6 or 7).

A decrease from baseline in breath methane, as determined by a lactulosebreath test, in methane-positive patients with IBS-C is expected.

Definitions

As used herein, “a,” “an,” or “the” can mean one or more than one.

Further, the term “about” when used in connection with a referencednumeric indication means the referenced numeric indication plus or minusup to 10% of that referenced numeric indication. For example, thelanguage “about 50%” covers the range of 45% to 55%.

An “effective amount,” when used in connection with medical uses is anamount that is effective for providing a measurable treatment,prevention, or reduction in the rate of pathogenesis of a disorder ofinterest.

As used herein, something is “decreased” if a read-out of activityand/or effect is reduced by a significant amount, such as by at leastabout 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%,at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at leastabout 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 97%,at least about 98%, or more, up to and including at least about 100%, inthe presence of an agent or stimulus relative to the absence of suchmodulation. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art,in some embodiments, activity is decreased and some downstream read-outswill decrease but others can increase.

Conversely, activity is “increased” if a read-out of activity and/oreffect is increased by a significant amount, for example by at leastabout 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%,at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at leastabout 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 97%,at least about 98%, or more, up to and including at least about 100% ormore, at least about 2-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about4-fold, at least about 5-fold, at least about 6-fold, at least about7-fold, at least about 8-fold, at least about 9-fold, at least about10-fold, at least about 50-fold, at least about 100-fold, in thepresence of an agent or stimulus, relative to the absence of such agentor stimulus.

As referred to herein, all compositional percentages are by weight ofthe total composition, unless otherwise specified. As used herein, theword “include,” and its variants, is intended to be non-limiting, suchthat recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other likeitems that may also be useful in the compositions and methods of thistechnology. Similarly, the terms “can” and “may” and their variants areintended to be non-limiting, such that recitation that an embodiment canor may comprise certain elements or features does not exclude otherembodiments of the present technology that do not contain those elementsor features.

Although the open-ended term “comprising,” as a synonym of terms such asincluding, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claimthe invention, the present invention, or embodiments thereof, mayalternatively be described using alternative terms such as “consistingof” or “consisting essentially of.”

As used herein, the words “preferred” and “preferably” refer toembodiments of the technology that afford certain benefits, undercertain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred,under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation ofone or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodimentsare not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments fromthe scope of the technology.

The amount of compositions described herein needed for achieving atherapeutic effect may be determined empirically in accordance withconventional procedures for the particular purpose. Generally, foradministering therapeutic agents (e.g., antimethanogenic statins and/oradditional therapeutic agents described herein) for therapeuticpurposes, the therapeutic agents are given at a pharmacologicallyeffective dose. A “pharmacologically effective amount,”“pharmacologically effective dose,” “therapeutically effective amount,”or “effective amount” refers to an amount sufficient to produce thedesired physiological effect or amount capable of achieving the desiredresult, particularly for treating the disorder or disease. An effectiveamount as used herein would include an amount sufficient to, forexample, delay the development of a symptom of the disorder or disease,alter the course of a symptom of the disorder or disease (e.g., slow theprogression of a symptom of the disease), reduce or eliminate one ormore symptoms or manifestations of the disorder or disease, and reversea symptom of a disorder or disease. Therapeutic benefit also includeshalting or slowing the progression of the underlying disease ordisorder, regardless of whether improvement is realized.

Effective amounts, toxicity, and therapeutic efficacy can be determinedby standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures, tissue samples,tissue homogenates or experimental animals, e.g., for determining theLD50 (the dose lethal to about 50% of the population) and the ED50 (thedose therapeutically effective in about 50% of the population). Thedosage can vary depending upon the dosage form employed and the route ofadministration utilized. The dose ratio between toxic and therapeuticeffects is the therapeutic index and can be expressed as the ratioLD50/ED50. In some embodiments, compositions and methods that exhibitlarge therapeutic indices are preferred. A therapeutically effectivedose can be estimated initially from in vitro assays, including, forexample, cell culture assays or measurements or methane production instool samples. Also, a dose can be formulated in animal models toachieve a circulating plasma concentration range that includes the IC50as determined in cell culture, or in an appropriate animal model. Levelsof the described compositions in plasma can be measured, for example, byhigh performance liquid chromatography. The effects of any particulardosage can be monitored by a suitable bioassay. The dosage can bedetermined by a physician and adjusted, as necessary, to suit observedeffects of the treatment.

In certain embodiments, the effect will result in a quantifiable changeof at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at leastabout 50%, at least about 70%, or at least about 90%. In someembodiments, the effect will result in a quantifiable change of about10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 50%, about 70%, or even about 90% ormore. Therapeutic benefit also includes halting or slowing theprogression of the underlying disease or disorder, regardless of whetherimprovement is realized.

As used herein, “methods of treatment” are equally applicable to use ofa composition for treating the diseases or disorders described hereinand/or compositions for use and/or uses in the manufacture of amedicaments for treating the diseases or disorders described herein.

EQUIVALENTS

While the invention has been described in connection with specificembodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of furthermodifications and this application is intended to cover any variations,uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, theprinciples of the invention and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within known or customary practice within theart to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to theessential features hereinbefore set forth and as follows in the scope ofthe appended claims.

Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain, usingno more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to thespecific embodiments described specifically herein. Such equivalents areintended to be encompassed in the scope of the following claims.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All patents and publications referenced herein are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entireties.

The publications discussed herein are provided solely for theirdisclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothingherein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention isnot entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention.

As used herein, all headings are simply for organization and are notintended to limit the disclosure in any manner. The content of anyindividual section may be equally applicable to all sections.

1. A modified-release formulation comprising at least oneantimethanogenic statin, wherein the formulation releases at least 60%of the antimethanogenic statin after the stomach and into one or moreregions of the intestinal tract.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. Theformulation of claim 1, wherein the antimethanogenic statin is selectedfrom atorvastatin, cerivastatin, dalvastatin, eptastatin, fluindostatin,fluvastatin, lovastatin, mevastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin,rosuvastatin, simvastatin, velostatin, and pharmaceutically acceptablesalts, stereoisomers, or prodrug derivatives thereof.
 5. The formulationof claim 1, wherein the antimethanogenic statin is lovastatin andpharmaceutically acceptable salts, stereoisomers, or prodrug derivativesthereof.
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. (canceled)
 9. The formulation ofclaim 1, wherein the antimethanogenic statin is released in the smallintestine, the duodenum, jejunum, the ileum, the ileocecal junction, thelarge intestine or combinations thereof.
 10. (canceled)
 11. (canceled)12. (canceled)
 13. The formulation of claim 1, wherein theantimethanogenic statin is released one or more of the cecum, ascending,transverse, descending or sigmoid portions of the colon, and rectum. 14.(canceled)
 15. (canceled)
 16. The formulation of claim 1, wherein theformulation comprises a modified-release coating that is substantiallystable in gastric fluid, or a modified-release coating that is degradedby a microbial enzyme present in the gut flora.
 17. (canceled)
 18. Theformulation of claim 1, wherein the formulation comprises amodified-release coating having a solubility that is pH-dependent, orwherein the formulation comprises a modified-release coating having atime-dependent erosion profile.
 19. (canceled)
 20. The formulation ofclaim 1, comprising: a first dose of at least one antimethanogenicstatin; and a second dose of at least one antimethanogenic statin; andwherein the first dose and the second dose of at least oneantimethanogenic statin are released at different times and/or atdifferent pHs. 21-60. (canceled)
 61. The formulation of claim 20,wherein the first and/or second dose of at least one antimethanogenicstatin is encapsulated in a core particle.
 62. The formulation of claim20, wherein a modified-release coating is disposed over the coreparticle to form a modified-release particle, or wherein the formulationcomprises a plurality of modified-release particles.
 63. The formulationof claim 20, wherein the first and/or second dose of at least oneantimethanogenic statin are encapsulated in a layer.
 64. The formulationof claim 63, wherein a modified-release coating is disposed over thelayer to form a modified-release layer.
 65. The formulation of claim 20,wherein the formulation comprises a plurality of layers.
 66. Theformulation of claim 20, wherein the first dose of at least oneantimethanogenic statin is released at the duodenum, and the second doseof at least one antimethanogenic statin is released at the ileum. 67.The formulation of claim 20, wherein the first dose of at least oneantimethanogenic statin is released at the small intestine, and thesecond dose of at least one antimethanogenic statin is released at thelarge intestine.
 68. The formulation of claim 20, wherein themodified-release coating is substantially stable in gastric fluid, isdegraded by a microbial enzyme present in the gut flora, has asolubility that is pH-dependent, or has a time-dependent erosionprofile.
 69. A method of inhibiting or reducing methanogenesis in ahuman subject in need thereof, comprising administering a formulationclaim 1 to the subject.
 70. The method of claim 69, wherein the subjectsuffers from irritable bowel syndrome.
 71. The method of claim 70,wherein the subject suffers from, constipation constipation-associatedIBS (IBS-C), the subject suffers from obesity, or the subject suffersfrom diabetes.
 72. A method of reducing or eliminating enteric methaneproduction comprising administering a formulation of claim 1 to asubject in need thereof.